MARSHALL — Getting around town, or just going for a ride, should become a little easier for cyclists in Marshall this summer. At least that’s the goal of a new bike share program that will start next week.

The program will make a total of nine bicycles available for the public to check out at three different locations in Marshall, said Marshall Community Services Recreation Coordinator Cam Bailey.

“We’re excited to unveil it,” Bailey said. “We think it’s a great benefit to our city.”

A community bike ride celebrating the bike share’s rollout will be held Monday evening, during the annual Bike Safety Extravaganza at the Marshall Area YMCA.

Bailey and MCS Community Education Coordinator Amanda Beckler said the bike share program was developed over the past several months, with the city of Marshall, the YMCA, the AmericInn in Marshall, and the Bike Shop all taking part.

“They feel it’s a win-win,” Beckler said of the city’s three partners.

“Each one of these locations will have three bicycles at a station,” Bailey said. With a photo I.D., members can check out a bike.

“We wanted to make sure they were free to use,” Beckler said.

Organizers developed the bike share program after studying other Minnesota communities, including Willmar, that tried offering bike shares.

“We want to start small, to see what kind of need and usage we get,” Beckler said.

The start of the bike share program comes after Marshall was named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists in December. Marshall joined a total of 25 Minnesota cities that were named bike-friendly communities.

“We applaud these communities for making bicycling a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.

When the Bicycle Friendly Community designation was announced in December, Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes said Marshall was “extremely appreciative” of the award.

“Marshall has made great progress in providing safe options for bicycling including bike lanes, bike trails and bike safety education, all these efforts to support and promote healthy lifestyles and active living,” Byrnes said.

City officials will be leading a community bike ride Monday at 6:30 p.m., to celebrate Marshall’s bike share program. Members of the public are also welcome to come to the Bike Safety Extravaganza at the YMCA from 4-7 p.m., Bailey and Beckler said. The event will have bike registrations, food and more.