Hamilton’s new unique bike racks unveiled today

Fourteen different, artfully designed bike racks will be installed throughout Hamilton. CONTRIBUTED

Fourteen different, artfully designed bike racks will be installed throughout Hamilton. CONTRIBUTED

A project to bring unique yet functional bike racks to city parks, businesses and schools will make its debut this weekend during Operation Pumpkin.

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Hamilton Class 26 worked with Primary Health Solutions and the City of Sculpture to bring 14 artfully designed bike racks to the city.

The bike racks will be on display in the lobby of the CORE 150 Building (the former Elder Beerman store) during Operation Pumpkin. After the three-day festival, which begins today, they will be installed throughout the city — mostly concentrated near downtown Hamilton and Main Street.

“A few of the bike racks are completely original designs,” said Taylor Welch, vice president of the City of Sculpture.

For example, the Hamilton Parks Conservancy is getting bird-shaped bike rack.

The City of Sculpture organization has discussed the concept of sculptural bike racks for the past three years, but struggled to find the best way to implement the project, according to Welch.

“Luckily for us, Leadership Hamilton volunteered to find the sponsors for each bike rack and fundraised to sponsor some additional racks as a group,” Welch said. “With Leadership Hamilton’s help, City of Sculpture was able to work on the bike rack designs and figuring out the placement of the racks.”

Each year, the chamber’s Leadership Hamilton participants adopt a project with the goal of making a significant, lasting impact on the community.

“We hope to continue this project and provide bike racks throughout the city,” Welch said.

Anyone or any group interested in sponsoring a future bike rack can reach out to Welch at taylor@cdalliance.net.

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