6 new creative bike rack designs being considered by Vancouver

City of Vancouver bike rack design competition, 2018. (City of Vancouver)

Even bike racks could bring an escape from the mundane in Vancouver’s streetscape.

A jury panel has narrowed down hundreds of design submissions for the City of Vancouver’s newest bike rack designs to just six nature-themed designs.

Up for contention are designs that are inspired by the North Shore mountains, birds, a leaf, and even rain.

“We have seen some very creative bike rack designs submitted by talented Vancouver residents all with a vision of making our public spaces more beautiful and interesting, while providing safe and secure places for people to park their bikes. We are so excited to be at the final stage of this competition,” said Margaret Wittgens, Director of Public Space and Street use for the City of Vancouver.

“Residents can have fun viewing and testing the prototypes, and voting for their favourite design.”

Earlier this year, the city received 450 submissions, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of 30 designs by the jury. A public vote conducted in June awarded the “Petal Rack” design the title of People’s Choice winner.

The jury took a number of factors into consideration for their shortlist, including the People’s Choice voting, cost of manufacturing, and functional aspects like safety and security.

The chosen designs for fabrication and installation will receive an award of $2,000, and other finalists not selected will receive $500.

The City plans to announce the winning designs later this summer, and installation across Vancouver will occur soon after in the fall. These new designs will add to the red-coloured, heart-shaped bike racks installed in recent years.