Bicycle riders are chaining their parked bikes to utility poles, sign posts, trash cans, and trees, so Columbia has a new plan to install more bike racks all over the city.

"What we've come across is there are lots of businesses around town or close to downtown or just around town that don't have adequate bike parking," said Ted Curtis, manager of the bike program.

The plan will allow the city to purchase the bicycle parking racks with federal money and loan them to merchants free of charge. With the cost-share program, Columbia businesses and GetAbout Columbia said they hope to install more bike parking. However, free and convenient parking does have a price.

"In return we would just have to maintain the property around the bike racks and maintain the racks in any way that, you know, would be necessary," said Beth Stubbs, a Kilgore's Pharmacy employee.

The program is still in the early stages of its process but just recently received funding approval. In the next two years the city said they will add one thousand bicycle parking spots.

Reported by: Trinity Nelson