Dude, where’s my bike?

City’s unique art displays cross pedal power with petal power

WOONSOCKET— If you happen to see an old bike parked unobtrusively at a city location, take a closer look – it just might be a piece of art.

That at least is what Mayor Lisa BaldelliHunt hopes people see when they spy one of the city’s new bicycle floral displays at specific locations like this one at the Rivers Edge Recreational Complex, the local access point to the Blackstone River

Bikeway.

The old street cruiser is painted bright blue and has a basket containing flowers on its handlebars. No, don’t try to ride it, it no longer works and is fixed permanently to the ground.

There is another bike on display at Market Square near Ye Olde English Fish & Chips.

“We painted and prepared them over the last couple of weeks,” Baldelli-Hunt said while noting the intent is to add some color and a “bit of flair and art” to certain locations in the city. For an urban community like Woonsocket, a bit of art can go a long way, according to Baldelli-Hunt, and the city could use more of it.

“Art very definitely makes a difference,” she said.

Baldelli-Hunt hopes people will start looking for the bikes around the city as a few more are added and maybe think of it as a “Where’s Waldo” kind of a game.

You can always call City Hall at 401762-6400 for help in conducting your search.

Joseph B. Nadeau/The Call Painted bicycles adorned with flowers — or art displays — like this one outside of Rivers Edge Recreational Complex, can be found in different parts of the city.

Joseph B. Nadeau/The Call A green bike at Market Square near Ye Olde English Fish & Chips adds a bit of ‘flair’ to the area, according to Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “Art very definitely makes a difference,” noted the mayor.