Thousands of storm grates in city streets are potential hazards for cyclists, and replacing them will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, a new report that's up for discussion in the city council's utilities committee tomorrow concludes.

Of more than 19,000 identified storm drains in the city---grated openings on the road next to curbs that drain stormwater off city streets---nearly 4,300 had problems such as broken or missing grates, worn or clogged grates, or grates that were either sunken too low in the street or raised too far off the street to be safe for cyclists. The most common problem, showing up in more than 1,800 drains, were grates that were hazardously low or high, presenting a threat to bicyclists who try to ride over them. Grates with parallel slats were also a hazard, because the slats can catch cyclists' tires and send them flying.

The city has spent $154,000 surveying storm drains on identified bike routes around the city, plus $82,000 so far fixing the most dangerous stormwater grates (those that are broken or simply missing), but will need another $160,000 to just complete those top-priority repairs. Once that's finished, the city will turn to grates that are raised or sunken and will start studying grates near new bike lanes, on arterial streets, and on bus routes and major intersections.

Bike lanes are a major priority for SPU committee chair Mike O'Brien, who rides his beat-up yellow Cannondale to City Hall every day. His committee meets in city council chambers tomorrow at 2 pm.