16 August 2010

Bike Rack as Art Design Competition

The Powerhouse Museum and the RTA are challenging street savvy designers and cyclists to re-imagine the humble bike rack.

Each year more bicycles are sold than cars and the number continues to grow. But while these two-wheelers might be multiplying, Sydneysiders are still faced with a shortage of places to park their bikes.

The Bike Rack as Art Design Competition aims to generate new, groundbreaking concepts for bike parking in locations not just limited to transport interchanges.

The nation-wide competition invites anyone with a creative flair and an interest in cycling to design a bike rack that is both an aesthetic addition to the street, as well as being functional, long lasting and easy-to-use.

“We are seeking innovative, functional and desirable bike rack designs to encourage people to ride more often,” says Minister Borger.

The winner will see their design manufactured and installed in a number of high profile sites in Parramatta, Liverpool and Penrith and receive a $10,000 cash prize, with second and third place entries receiving $5,000 and $2,000 respectively.

The competition will be judged by architect and designer Richard Goodwin, Diana Lorentz, Design Manager at the Powerhouse Museum, Greg Chalberg, Marketing Manager for Shimano Australia, Matt Faber of RTA Sustainable Transport Section and Myfanwy Lawrence, representing Liverpool, Penrith and Parramatta Councils.

“The Bike Rack as Art Design Competition presents an excellent opportunity for Australian designers, artists and even cyclists to think creatively about the synergy between beauty and functionality of bike racks in urban areas,” said competition judge Diana Lorentz.

The initiative is part of the NSW BikePlan, a 10-year funded scheme to transform Sydney into a cycling city and is the Australian incarnation of New York’s CityRacks Design Competition held in 2008.

Launched as part of Sydney Design 2010, the competition will close on 18 October and winners will be announced in the week beginning 10 December 2010.