People's Bike Library of Portland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids People's Bike Library of Portland |
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The sculpture in 2015
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| Artist |
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| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Sculpture |
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| Dimensions | 5.2 m × 2.1 m × 2.1 m (17 ft × 7 ft × 7 ft) |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| 45°31′22″N 122°41′03″W / 45.52275°N 122.68403°W | |
| Owner | City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council |
The People's Bike Library of Portland is a unique sculpture in Portland, Oregon. It is also known as the Zoobomb Pyle or simply "the pile". Created in 2009, this artwork was made by local artists Brian Borrello and Vanessa Renwick. It uses steel and gold leaf to create a special landmark.
This sculpture was built with help from the Zoobomb bicycling group. It serves several purposes for the community. It works as a bicycle parking rack and a "lending library" for weekly bike riders. Most importantly, it stands as a monument to Portland's bike culture. The sculpture features a tall, spiral pillar. On top, there is a small bicycle covered in gold. Other small bicycles, used by Zoobomb riders, are locked to the pillar and its base. The base has metal loops that act as hooks for these bikes.
The sculpture is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection. The Regional Arts & Culture Council helped make it happen. They used money from the Portland Department of Transportation. This project was part of the "Art on the Streets" program. This program was started by Mayor Sam Adams.
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The Story Behind the Sculpture
In the early 2000s, a group of people who loved mini-bikes started gathering. They would meet for weekly bike rides down a big hill. These rides began near the Oregon Zoo. The event became known as Zoobomb. This name came from the fast downhill ride, which cyclists call "bombing," near the zoo.
Before the sculpture was put in place, the bikes were stored at a spot called the "Holy Rack." People also called it the "Zoobomb pile." This old pile was located at Southwest 10th Avenue and Oak Street.
By 2006, the People's Bike Library of Portland was already working. It was an informal way for people to share bikes. The people running it called it a bicycle "library." Anyone could use a bike if they bought a $5 ID card from a person named "Handsome Dave." A group called BikePortland.org worked with the city. They helped get $10,000 from the Portland Department of Transportation. This money was used to create a city-approved bicycle parking rack and artwork from the original bike "pyle."
What the Sculpture Looks Like
The People's Bike Library of Portland is a sculpture made from steel and gold leaf. It was designed by local artists Brian Borrello and Vanessa Renwick. The sculpture was placed in 2009. You can find it on a traffic island at the corner of West Burnside Street and Southwest 13th Avenue in downtown Portland.
This sculpture was created with the help of the Zoobomb group. It has many uses. It works as a bike rack and a bike "lending library." It also celebrates Portland's bike culture. The sculpture stands 17 feet (5.2 m) tall. Its base is 7 by 7 feet (2.1 by 2.1 m). It features a spiral-shaped pillar that goes up two stories. On top of the pillar is a small bicycle covered in gold. Artist Vanessa Renwick called this the "cherry on top!" Many children's bikes are locked to the sculpture. These bikes are used by riders for the weekly Zoobomb meetings. The base of the sculpture has metal loops that act as hooks for the bicycles.
The artwork is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection. The Regional Arts & Culture Council paid $10,000 for the project. The money came from the Portland Department of Transportation. Mayor Sam Adams helped make the sculpture happen. He did this through his new program called "Art on the Streets." This program was a team effort between the Bureau of Transportation and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.
The Unveiling Ceremony
On May 29, 2009, Mayor Adams and other community leaders held an event. They celebrated the new sculpture. Many cycling fans and current and former Zoobomb riders attended. Everyone first gathered at the old "Holy Rack" spot. Then, they paraded to the new sculpture.
The parade was promoted by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and City Repair Project. It featured many cool bikes. There were small bikes, tall bikes, chopper bicycles, and a homemade bakfiets. At the ceremony, a long-time Zoobomb rider named Shannon Palermo spoke. She introduced the public art manager from the Regional Arts & Culture Council. The manager talked about the artwork.
"Handsome Dave," who helped start the bike library, thanked everyone. He thanked those who made Zoobomb and the sculpture possible. Then, he introduced Mayor Adams. Mayor Adams cut the ribbon after a countdown. He spoke about how the artwork began. He said that "Handsome Dave" had asked for a place to store bikes years ago. He also said that Portland's bike culture is important for the city's future. It helps reduce pollution and makes people healthier. He felt proud to be a small part of this "quirky stuff that makes Portland, Portland."
After Mayor Adams' speech, people created the first new pile of small bicycles. One of the first women of Zoobomb described the moment. She said she pushed through the crowd to add her bike. She felt amazed and happy. A long chain was wrapped through nearly twenty bicycles. Mayor Adams himself locked them to the sculpture.
The event ended with a group picture. Attendees sang a song called "16" Rims." This was a funny version of Janis Joplin's song "Mercedez Benz." The celebration finished with "dancing in the streets" and music by The Sprockettes.
Images for kids
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The sculpture in 2015
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"Zoobomb pile" in 2007, prior to the erection of the 2009 sculpture
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Mayor Sam Adams spoke at the dedication ceremony for People's Bike Library. His "Art on the Streets" program helped bring the sculpture to fruition.
