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The City of Roanoke and RIDE Solutions have announced the rescheduled unveiling of an artistic bike rack in Grandin Village for July 1. Here is a press release from the city:

The City of Roanoke announces the rescheduled unveiling of an artistic bike rack on Friday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of Grandin Road. This bike rack is the latest addition to the city’s public art collection, and is co-sponsored by RIDE Solutions, the sustainable transportation service of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in late 2010 for artists to submit designs for a one-of-a-kind bike rack. Twenty-nine artists responded, and a selection panel made up of citizens, a RIDE Solutions representative, a local artist, and bike enthusiasts unanimously chose the work of Popup Design. Principal artists Joshua Howell and Kagan Taylor bring together backgrounds in public art, architecture, and fine woodworking. Their work can be seen in California, Washington state, and China. Taylor says their design “provides a whimsical play on the standard undulating wave rack by turning it into another family object.”

Jeremy Holmes, director of RIDE Solutions and a member of the panel, stated, “This project emphasizes the links between the Valley’s growing bicycle culture and the region’s already vital arts and cultural community. Not only does the rack serve as a unique work of public art, but also as an important piece of bike infrastructure by providing safe, secure parking for cyclists. We believe the installation in Grandin Village is particularly appropriate as the Village is a model for sustainable design, and we’re happy to reinforce its reputation as a fun and welcoming destination for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.”

In May 2010, the City of Roanoke announced its designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Roanoke’s Public Art program has supported the city’s commitment to the cycling community by incorporating a number of custom-designed bike racks into its program of work.

City of Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings said, “The newly extended greenway through Vic Thomas Park and the bike lanes on Memorial Avenue allow for easy access for bikers to Grandin Village. We needed a space with sidewalks wide enough to accommodate the art and wanted a location with a lot of activity so we could encourage people to use bicycles to do their shopping, eat out, and attend events. Grandin Village offers all of this in a compact area.”

For more information about the bike rack dedication, or about the city’s Public Art program, contact Susan Jennings at 540-853-5652 or Susan.Jennings@roanokeva.gov. For information about cycling as alternative transportation, contact Jeremy Holmes at 540-342-9393, or visit the RIDE Solutions website at http://ridesolutions.org.