Photos by Madeline Pado
Bicyclists, artists and downtown Phoenix residents gathered Friday night for the inaugural Pedal Craft Phoenix bicycling event.
The event, sponsored and hosted by creative consultancy firm Kitchen Sink Studios, featured bike-themed posters from 25 local graphic designers, who were selling their art for $20 a piece.
“We try to support local businesses, local artists and local restaurants,” said Mike Giles, a graphic designer for Kitchen Sink Studios. “I think residents want Phoenix to be a more bike-commuter friendly area and this event will create more momentum for that culture.”
The proceeds went to the artists to fund a pop-up park in the vacant Ro2 Lot in the Roosevelt Row Arts District.
Cyclists were also encouraged to go to five participating restaurants and bars: The Lost Leaf, The Roosevelt, Crescent Ballroom, Rose and Crown Pub and The Arrogant Butcher.
The idea for Pedal Craft Phoenix isn’t new, but it’s never been done before in Phoenix. The idea of combining art and bikes came from Minneapolis bicycling event Artcrank. Maricopa County Sustainability Manager Jonce Walker and graphic designer Jon Ashcroft decided to rebrand it and make it their own.
“People are no longer interested in owning a car,” Walker said, adding that a lot of time is lost driving around.
“This event is about bringing people together and having fun,” Walker said.
ASU graduate and Tempe resident Shelby White said she recently started cycling. “I have a low-rider (bike) so I’m like the rebel of the group,” she said.
White said her favorite part of the event was the combination of art and bikes.
There were also unique bike racks being showcased by Sidewalk Phoenix, who partners with artists and welders to advocate livability in the valley.
“The event represents the flavor the local artists have,” said Nicole Underwood, a co-organizer of Pedal Craft Phoenix and co-founder of Sidewalk Phoenix. “The bike rack is a symbol of that connectivity.”
The next Pedal Craft Phoenix event is planned for Sept. 27 as part of Phoenix Design Week.
Contact the reporter at erin.saltzman@asu.edu
