Jennifer Barker, outside Bambu, with the bike rack prototype.
I was contacted the other day by Jennifer Barker, owner of Bambu Salon in Broad Ripple, with an interesting pitch. She is hoping to install bike corral outside her shop at 916 E. Westfield Blvd. “This bike corral, in the shape of a comb, will enable nine bicycles to park,” she wrote. “We feel that this functional piece of art not only supports our mission of connecting beauty, environment and wellness but will help alleviate parking hassles, cut down on carbon emissions and make our streets cleaner, safer and more friendly.”
Jennifer Barker, you had me at “bike corral.”
She sent me a photo, shot on her phone, but I couldn’t really see what it was, so I said what the heck, I need a haircut, I’ll be by soon. We agreed upon a time and I not only received a fantastic haircut, I got a ground level view of this prototype.
A detailed view of the bike rack.
Barker emphasizes the “keeping it local” aspect of her bike rack efforts. Designer/sculptor Scott Sebree, of the Indianapolis Art Center, is designated to build the bike rack. And if you want to contribute to this project, you can go through Indy Cog, where your donations are tax deductible.
So far, with Barker’s personal funds ($1000), funds promised by the Office of Sustainability ($1300), the bike rack is just over $1500 from coming to fruition. Bambu is currently offering Botanical Hair or Scalp Treatments (normally a $30 deep conditioning service) for $10 as a donation to the bike rack effort.
You can contact Bambu at 251-4800; to donate via Indy Cog. You may also donate here.
