Old bikes wanted for giant bike tree

A giant bike tree, similar to this one, will be installed on the Village Green to coincide with Crankworx.

Rotorua Lakes Council is on the search for old bikes and bike pieces to help construct a giant bike tree - an art installation to be set up on the Village Green to coincide with Crankworx Rotorua.

Crankworx is the world's largest international mountain bike festival and is being staged in Rotorua for the first time from March 25 to 29, with competitors, media and spectators expected from all over the world.

The council has procured a 7m high galvanised steel framework for the tree from ChildFund New Zealand. Last year ChildFund NZ set up their 'Christmas Tree of Bikes' on Queens Wharf in downtown Auckland to help highlight the vital role bicycles play in getting children who live in extreme poverty, to school.

"The steel tree itself was purpose-built to hold bicycles, so we are thrilled that Rotorua Lakes Council will be showcasing bikes and sharing it with their community," ChildFund New Zealand CEO Paul Brown said.

Rotorua Lakes Council project coordinator Brigitte Nelson said if enough bikes and parts were donated the tree would be assembled and installed at the Village Green near the lakefront, and spot lit at night for the duration of Crankworx.

"This is an innovative concept with a touch of the 'wow factor,' and it's certain to become a real talking point during Crankworx. Hopefully we can use it again for other events in the future - like next year's Rotorua Bike Festival, for example.

"It will help reinforce Rotorua's growing reputation as the southern hemisphere's mountain biking capital and as a great New Zealand destination for cycling of all types," Mrs Nelson said.

"What we're asking the community to do is to have a look in their garage, the garden shed or under the house for old bikes, wheels or frames that could be donated to help build our bike tree.

"They can be dropped off at the council's City Clean premises in Pukuatua Street (driveway between carpark building and Bedstop furniture store) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week (February 27- March1) between 9am and 12 noon.

Anyone needing more information can contact Brigitte Nelson at Rotorua Lakes Council on (07) 351 7057 or by email to Brigitte.nelson@rdc.govt.nz.