Roll on up: Cyclists will soon be able to park bicycles at 10 new pelican-themed racks

Marlisa Harding

Streets in Southwest Louisiana will soon see a face-lift thanks to a donation from the Quality of Life Task Force of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. Ten bright teal bicycle racks, adorned with pelicans, will be distributed throughout the community in areas with high-commuter cyclists.

Care Help of Sulphur was the first business to be outfitted with the new racks followed by The Salvation Army of Lake Charles.

Amanda White, Alliance vice president of communications and special projects, said the remaining racks will be likewise located in areas with high bicycle traffic and/or bicycle lanes.

“We’ve got bike lanes that will be popping up between the city and parish. People will need a safe place to put their bikes,” she said.

The team is also working to expand the project regionally to surrounding parishes, she said. “We’re really hoping this is just the first wave.”

The new racks were a collaborative effort from public and private donors including Sowela Technical Community College, Polaris Engineering, Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition, Lake Area Equipment and Gophr.

After the racks were purchased by the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition, White said it was a “no brainer” to bring Sowela in on the project.

Erik Jessen, graphic arts instructor, and his classes developed the racks’ end caps.

“We started working up different ideas based on Louisiana culture, environments or animals. Really, anything that can be symbolism of our area and can double as a cool bike rack.”

Once the idea of a pelican was decided upon, Polaris Engineering volunteered to donate and cut the metal designs. The pelicans were then welded onto the racks by Sowela’s welding department and then powder-coated at Lake Area Equipment.

Finally, Gophr delivered the racks to spots.

“And that’s why we chose teal,” White said. “It’s not any particular organization’s bike rack, it’s for the community by the community.”

Additional bicycle racks are dependent upon donations to the Quality of Life fund at the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. To donate visit, www.foundationswla.org/life-fund.””

Ten bright teal bicycle racks, adorned with pelicans, are being distributed throughout the community.

Rick Hickman

SportsPlus

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

Business

Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as massive bird flu outbreak leads to soaring prices

Local News

Federal judge blocks enforcement of La. police ‘buffer-zone’ law

Local News

Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance opens new offices

Local News

NY shields abortion pill prescribers after doctor indicted in La.

McNeese Sports

Cowboys win by a tick

Business

Wall Street swerves lower after Trump announces tariffs and then puts some on hold

Local News

A heart for kids: New Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO driven to help others

McNeese Sports

Hot-shooting Nicholls guns down Pokes

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls struggle early, fall to Nicholls

Informer

The Informer: Floods followed in wake of 1940 Gulf Coast storm

Business

Economic advisor: Collaboration, focus on workforce development key

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Professor back in classroom

life

String theory: Thompson rediscovers her art voice in fabrics

Local News

Qualifying ends, ballots set for March election

Crime

1/31: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

life

Southwest District Livestock Show: Time again to hit the dirt

Crime

Former veterinarian found not guilty in rape of young girls at Kinder casino

McNeese Sports

Cowboys end road trip at Nicholls

Local News

UPDATE: La. fourth-graders in the top five in nation for math growth