Emporia Bike Rack Design Competition

The city of Emporia, Kansas is sponsoring a design competition for the new bicycle racks they plan to install on downtown Commercial Street:

The City of Emporia, in partnership with the Multi-Use Path Planning Board, Emporia Main Street, and Flint Hills Technical College, is sponsoring a bicycle rack design competition for downtown Emporia. The purpose of this project is to beautify the community and encourage alternative transportation by providing aesthetically-pleasing parking options for cyclists.

Now is the time to get those creative gears turning! The competition is open to all members of the greater Emporia community, and submissions will be accepted until October 30, 2009. The winning design(s) will exhibit a balance of both form and function, providing an artistic and secure place to park. The winner(s) will receive a gift certificate from Emporia Main Street.

Entries must be two-dimensional, including front and side views and dimensions. Submit your design via email (PDF) or hard copy by October 30, 2009, including your name and contact information, to Casey Woods (12 E. 5th Ave. Emporia, KS 66801, 620-340-6430, main.street@emporia-kansas.gov) or Rachael LeClear (3301 W. 18th Ave. Emporia, KS 66801, 620-341-1372, rleclear@fhtc.edu).

Entries will be judged on the safety, security, ease or use, and durability of the design, as well as how it fits aesthetically into the downtown district. (see Submission Guidelines)

Up to 12 racks will be installed along Commercial Street from 4th Ave. to 12th Ave., with the possibility
of future expansion to other areas.

If you’re looking for some bike rack design inspiration, check out some of the racks David Byrne created for New York City:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment ran a similar Bike Rack Sculpture Design Competition in Downtown Topeka earlier this year, but the winners have not yet been announced.

See also: Designs wanted for downtown bike racks from the Emporia Gazette.

Post tags: Bike Racks, Emporia