Minneapolis Bike Parking Regulations Guide
Minneapolis is a popular city for bicycling, with an estimated 4.3% of commute trips made by bicycle in 2008 (U.S. Census Bureau). Having good places to lock bicycles is a key part of the bicycle transportation network, and Minneapolis is working toward providing more and better bike parking throughout the city. The Minneapolis City Council adopted new offstreet parking regulations in January 2009. This chart below describes how the rules affect bicycle parking for new facilities in the city.
New Buildings (as of 1/09) | Minimum Bicycle Parking Requirement |
Non-residential uses < 1,000 sq. ft. | Exempt |
Residential – Single Family to 4 units | Exempt |
Multi-family dwellings (5 or more units) | 1 space per two dwelling units |
Schools (K-12) | 3 spaces per classroom |
Community centers | 6 spaces |
Theaters | 3 spaces |
General retail sales & services | 3 spaces or 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. of general floor area |
Offices | 3 spaces or 1 space per 15,000 sq. ft. of general floor area |
Restaurant or coffee shop | 3 spaces |
Indoor or outdoor recreation facility | 3 spaces |
Sports & health facility | 3 spaces or 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. of general floor area |
Medical clinic | 3 spaces |
Industrial uses | 2 spaces or 1 space per 20,000/30,000/40,000 sq. ft. |
Post office | 3 spaces |
* This table is a summary. Additional standards exist mandating the location of
long-term and short-term bicycle parking, and there are separate rules for
downtown Minneapolis. For the full version, see Table 541-3 of the City of
Minneapolis Zoning Code (Title 20, Chapter 541).
Bicycle Rack Cost Share Program
Through the Bike Rack Cost Share Program, the City of Minneapolis can reimburse 50 percent of the cost of bike racks at eligible businesses. Schools, libraries, parks, and other eligible public facilities can also request to receive racks at no cost.
Bicycle Corral Program
The Bicycle Corral Cost Share Program is designed for businesses with high bicycle demand and limited space in the boulevard or sidewalk area. An on-street bicycle parking corral is a group of bicycle racks, installed adjacent to the curb, in the parking lane of the roadway. It is a low-cost method to provide bicycle parking in the same space occupied by an on-street parked car.
Please contact Paul Cao at (612) 673-2943 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Legal and Illegal Bicycle Parking (MCC 490.150)
• Legal: Bicycles may legally park upon a sidewalk and be temporarily attached to sign posts and bicycle racks.
• Illegal: It is illegal to attach a bicycle to trees, parking meter posts, street light posts, traffic signal posts, or handrailings. Parked bicycles may not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic