Neon bike program turns into city-wide experiment.
Artist Caroline Macfarlane, right, shows off her abandoned bicycle art project to Scarborough Southwest Councillor Gary Crawford.
Photo/COURTESY
In less than a month, Toronto's neon bike has gone from being the city's sidewalk scapegoat to its sanctioned symbol of revival.
And soon there will be more neon bicycles wherever people want them.
Caroline Macfarlane and Vanessa Nicholas had that dream in mind when they decided to decorate a long-abandoned bicycle on Dundas Street West with a bright coat of paint and flowers.
The city, however, noticed the street art and said it had to be removed or destroyed. The city's response led to criticism, but support from the public and some city councillors kept the bicycle in place.
Now, not only has the ticket been withdrawn, but the artists and Scarborough Southwest Councillor Gary Crawford have announced "The Good Bike Project" that will take the idea city wide.
In a statement Wednesday, Crawford, an artist himself, said new bikes in vibrant colours will "mark sites that promote the ethos of regeneration" and communities that spark creativity.
Mayor Rob Ford threw his support to the project, adding it will "certainly be exciting when these bikes appear around Toronto this summer."
The "good bikes" will have to be clearly identified and secured to a bicycle ring or on private property.
It promises to be the most widespread official art project since Mel Lastman unleashed his moose herd, but the bicycle project is meant to rely on donated materials and supplies.
The city suggests the bikes could be sold when the project ends to generate funds for community art or other civic improvements.
At least 150 abandoned bicycles being held by the city's Solid Waste Department are available for painting and placement.
Meanwhile, the city has withdrawn its ticket for the neon bike, on the understanding the art object attached to a bike ring outside the Ontario College of Art and Design Student Gallery isn't abandoned.
More details on the project are said to be available soon on the artists' blog (http://blogthegood.tumblr.com) and a dedicated Facebook page.
- Mike Adler