Aucklanders are being asked to hop on their bikes this spring and capture Tamaki Mākaurau’s treasure trove of street art on camera, in a bid to bring the benefits of art and cycling together in the Street Art Bike Challenge.
Auckland based sustainability pioneers, EcoMatters, have run The Street Art Bike Challenge (SABC) every October since its inception in 2020. It was designed to bring people together outdoors and help shape public spaces, particularly through lockdowns, for which the charity received a ‘Special Mention’ in the Kumara Awards 2021 Lockdown Project category.
Cyclists will light up Facebook and Instagram with images or video of people with their bike and an example of street art, from murals to yarn bombing and stained glass windows. They can enter as many times as they like and should post their discoveries with the SABC hashtag to go into a prize draw for $1000 worth of goodies.
“I’ve been cycling for over 30 years and still come across new examples of Auckland’s rich street art culture” says EcoMatters Bike Hubs Manager, Brent Bielby. “As an art lover and cyclist, I always look forward to the bike challenge to see how others are slowing down and noticing their city. I thoroughly encourage everyone - either on their own or with whānau and friends - to get on a bike and join in.”
Bielby explains that, this year, the project has special significance for the 21-year-old organisation because it will introduce wider Auckland to EcoMatters’ Bike Hubs expansion.
Based in refashioned shipping containers, the hubs currently provide communities in Glen Innes, New Lynn, Henderson and the CBD, with free basic bike repairs, reconditioned bikes for sale and other services.
By the time SABC kicks off in October, Bike Hubs in Forrest Hill, Pakuranga and Onehunga should be up and running, with Manukau and Grey Lynn following close behind. The Epsom hub is scheduled to open in November.
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Published: 24 July 2023