MUSICAL note–shaped bike stands have been installed at The Arches near Foregate Street train station in Worcester as part of a joint initiative to make it easier to park bikes in the city.
The distinctive music note stands were designed as part of a Bike Worcester competition, which saw children take part in creative workshops supported by project coordinator Anthony Clerici and local architects Herlig Architecture.
The winning design was created by Arlo Clarke, a pupil at St George’s Church of England Primary School. It was then brought to life by Worcester Bosch and installed by Worcester City Council.
Antony Clerici, a Bike Worcester volunteer, said: “The competition came about as a way of including Worcester’s Bike Bus schools in last year’s Global Bike Bus Summit held in Worcester.
“Year 5 and Year 6 pupils were given the challenge of designing a bike bay that was not only a practical bike stand but also expressed what Worcester meant to them.
“Arlo’s winning design took the idea of Edward Elgar with notes and sheet music – a bike stand but also a piece of street art.
“Many thanks go to the judges who trawled through over 230 entries, awarded commendations and selected the winner.
“Further thanks go to Worcester Bosch who built the winning design in powder-coated metal with an etched stainless-steel base and Worcester City Council for installing the ‘notes’ in the Arches, next to Foregate Street Station.
“Elgar rode his bike around the lanes of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, he even took his bike on the train. So the location is appropriate and unique.”
Coun Jabba Riaz, deputy leader of Worcester City Council, joined Arlo to unveil the new bike stands, alongside the Worcester Bosch team who manufactured them.
Coun Riaz added: “It was fantastic to meet Arlo and hear all about his design and how it came about. The bike stands support the city council’s aim to promote active travel around Worcester, and it’s great to see them already being used.”
