Remember drawing on the sidewalk with chalk? Bike Contrails play off the idea of temporary artwork, both for safety purposes and as a way to foster community among cyclists.
Have you ever noticed when you're on a slightly muddy trail that it's the footprints and bike tire treads on the ground that are its most distinctive trait? You can see how many others took this very same route. It's interesting to think that with the next rainfall, the ground's most prominent trait will be washed away, the canvas washed clean, ready to be marked by the next set of travelers.
But what about on the road? Bike Contrails are created by constantly releasing powdered chalk on the tire surface, allowing the colored chalk to create freshly lined trail on any flat surface, such as on streets.
"The goal is to encourage a new cycle of biking participation by allowing the biking community to leave a unique mark on the road and to reclaim this crucial shared space," Studio Gelardi says, adding that "contrail lines get brighter as community grows."
Studio Gelardi was a finalist in Design21's Power to the Pedal design competition.
DIY Cyclist Trails
Bike 'Contrails' Mark Your Trail With Chalk To Bond Cyclists in Certain Areas
Trend Themes
1. Temporary Artwork - Creating bike contrails with powdered chalk allows for temporary artwork on flat surfaces, fostering creativity and self-expression.
2. Community Building - Bike contrails provide a way for cyclists to connect and bond with each other, creating a sense of community.
3. Safety Enhancement - Marking bike trails with contrails can improve visibility and safety for cyclists, making their presence known on the road.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Recreation - The outdoor recreation industry can explore opportunities to incorporate bike contrails into their offerings, enhancing the biking experience for cyclists.
2. Urban Planning - Urban planners can consider implementing bike contrails as a way to encourage cycling and improve pedestrian-bicycle coexistence in cities.
3. Art and Design - The art and design industry can explore how bike contrails can be used as a form of public art, adding vibrancy to urban landscapes.