For years downtown Wixom has had these random painted bikes scattered throughout the district. Some may wonder why they are there, and what purpose do they serve? With the addition of the Michigan Air Line Trail (MALT) in 2019, the Wixom Downtown Development Authority (DDA) felt that having a way to bring attention to the trail would be helpful. So, at that time they put out a call for old unwanted bikes. The call was met, and the community donated twelve bikes for the DDA to put to use.
The Wixom DDA Design committee decided that it would be best to paint the bikes and install them in strategic locations throughout the downtown area, such as at businesses, near buildings, or in flower beds. Soon signs were added that reminded people walking by that the MALT was only a few blocks away. Not only was this a way to bring attention to the trail but it also introduced public art to Downtown Wixom.
Over the years, the bikes have been repainted, decorated with flowers, had visitors for the Halloween season, and more. Recently, the Wixom DDA partnered with a Walled Lake Western High School student that needed an Eagle Scout project. He took it upon himself to work with the DDA to collect the bikes and repaint them in bright vivid colors. This was a tremendous help to the DDA as the bikes need sprucing up every few years.
Along with the repainting of the bikes, the DDA recently hired local artist, Lisa Littel, to create pieces that could be added to the bikes. Beautiful, colorful flowers, hummingbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies were created and are now on display on the bikes throughout the downtown area. It is the DDA’s hope this art creates a sense of place and brings smiles to our community.
You will find the bikes in some of their original locations, but the DDA has moved some around so please enjoy finding where the bikes are located, and we hope that the artwork brings a smile to your face each time you come across one of these pieces of colorful public art.
