Cuba MO is painting the town yet again!
This time Cuba MO is painting the town with bicycles. In fact, you may have noticed there are several painted bicycles around Cuba with baskets of flowers. These bikes, a project of Viva Cuba, provide a colorful addition to our park, businesses, and attractions. The bikes can be seen in several spots around town. Specifically, they serve as a reminder to be mindful of cyclists and promote bicycle safety. As an added bonus, they provide a colorful aesthetic to the public space.
What does a bicycle symbolize to you? Is it a reminder of a simpler time, a bond with friends, or maybe a sense of community? Across cultures and generations, the bicycle is a powerful symbol of hope, progress, and renewal. Since its invention in 1817, the bicycle has been instrumental for transportation, recreation, sports, and even the women’s suffrage movement.
Fun Fact: Worldwide, there are twice as many bicycles as automobiles, and they outsell automobiles three to one.
What does a painted bicycle represent?
Often white or ghost bikes are used as a memorial for a cyclist killed while on their bike. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the first recorded ghost bike was in St. Louis, in 2003, when Patrick Van Der Tuin, a witness to a collision between a cyclist and a car, placed a painted bike at the location with a message that read: “Cyclist struck here.” Generally, other painted bikes serve as a reminder to motorists to share the road with cyclists. But these colorful bikes provide something else – a sense of community.
How it started.
In 2016, Merry Cloer, owner of Spirals, wanted to add a splash of color to the Viva Cuba Garden at the center of town. She and her husband retrofitted a recycled bicycle to become a permanent fixture in the garden. Painted orange, the bike, and its flower-filled basket adorn the garden and greet visitors with a seasonal whimsy. Since the orange bike, several others have been added. From Route 66, the bikes can be spotted uptown at the Wallace House, Peoples Bank, and also at Lange Law Firm. To ensure their longevity, each bike is powder-coated to look new year after year. These bikes represent renewal and revitalization.
How it’s going.
The next bike installment will be a bicycle built for two, donated by Ruthann Kuethe, Viva Cuba Volunteer. The bike came with a story. In 2012, two young ladies purchased the tandem bike at Lone Star Antiques in Cuba. With flat tires and a rusty chain, they repaired the bike and explored the area as friends. For these girls, the bike was symbolic of progress and hope.
What’s next?
The bikes add charm and color, but most importantly they bring awareness to bicycle safety. Plans are also in the works for a red, white, and blue bike, complete with a mailbag, to be located at the Cuba, Missouri Post Office. It’s a win-win for everyone. If you want to learn more about painted bicycles in Cuba contact, Vivacuba@cubamomurals.com.
Who is Viva Cuba?
In 1984, Viva Cuba, Inc. was organized with the goal of beautifying Cuba, Missouri to attract new industries and job seekers. Many local groups and individuals rallied together to landscape Highway 19 to be more welcoming to residents, new industry, and tourists. With continued support from the community, dedicated volunteers, and the state of Missouri, Viva Cuba has made a lasting impact on first impressions. Starting in 1987, Viva Cuba was the first adopt-a-highway project in the state of Missouri. In 2001, Viva Cuba commissioned outdoor murals as part of the town’s Sesquicentennial celebration. Known as the Route 66 Mural City, Cuba takes great pride in its rich history, art, and people. Learn more at CubaMoMurals.com
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