Students concerned about places to park their bikes may soon have more racks to choose from, according to a campus official.

The number of bike parking spaces at Iowa State is growing, said Doug Houghton, program coordinator at the Department of Public Safety.

“We believe on a warm sunny day that around 4,000 to 6,000 bikes are on campus,” Houghton said. He said there are more than 4,000 bike parking spots on campus.

The DPS has spent an average of $50,000 on improving bicycle parking availability over the past five to seven years, Houghton said. He said DPS has increased the number of bicycle parking spaces at many campus locations, but he said there are still some areas that need improvement.

Houghton said Curtiss Hall and Physics Hall are two of the buildings that still need more parking spaces. He said a few students have requested more bike racks near Curtiss Hall.

“It just became a focus of attention because it’s one of the last areas to be addressed,” Houghton said, adding that Curtiss Hall is the next area scheduled for more bike racks and could have work started this summer.

Some ISU students have mixed views on whether there is problem with bike parking.

“I never really thought it was a problem,” said Ben Blanc, sophomore in graphic design.

Blanc said it seems the amount of bike racks on campus has greatly increased since last year, although he added that Coover Hall could use more parking spaces.

Joe Steffes, sophomore in agricultural business, said the availability of spaces to park bikes is “not bad.” Steffes also said he thinks the number of parking spaces available has increased compared to last year.

According to the DPS home page, any bicycle that is chained to a tree, light pole, fence, etc. may be impounded by cutting and removing the lock. Bikes on handicap-accessible ramps will be removed immediately.

The fine for an illegally parked bike is $5.

Impounded bicycles may be claimed within a three-month period after impoundment, following payment of the fine, a $5 impoundment fee and proper identification, according to information provided on the DPS home page.