New inner city bike stand embraces street art, recycling and ‘WoodFirst’ concepts

A new piece of street furniture has been installed on the recently upgraded intersection of Tutanekai and Eruera streets, serving as both a functional bike stand and another item of street art for Rotorua’s inner city.

The unique bike stand project has been a partnership of Rotorua District Council, the Inner City Focus Group and local company Orca Engineering & Marine. It supports the council’s recently announced plans to adopt a ‘WoodFirst’ policy for showcasing the district’s forestry and wood processing industries.

To construct the bike stand unit Rotorua District Council staff recycled a large fallen tree from a council reserve, which was then sawn, trimmed, prepped and stained. Orca Engineering & Marine manufactured and fixed stainless steel fittings, which they donated as a contribution towards the inner city’s revitalisation.

Inner City Focus Group member and retailer, Ron Finn, is impressed with the bike stand.

“We’re really happy to have it on the corner outside our store. It’s attractive and functional, and it provides a nice finishing touch to the recent makeover of the intersection. It balances Jake Krebs’ new wood seat and Trevor Nathan’s wood tui sculpture now in place on opposite corners.”

District councillor and Inner City Revitalisation portfolio lead, Karen Hunt, said she was very pleased with the finished product.

“It looks great and it’s uniquely Rotorua – local materials, locally designed and locally manufactured. We’re very grateful to Orca Engineering & Marine for their community spirit in donating their time, skills and material to the project. It’s another good example of how community partnerships are making thing happen for Rotorua.”

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