Light Lane Illuminates Downtown Tempe with a Fusion of Biking, Music, and Visual Art
Photo courtesy of city of Tempe

The streets of downtown Tempe will come alive this month in a spectacle of light and sound with the debut of Light Lane, a unique art installation that marries the joy of biking with the vibrancy of local music and visual art. Presented by the city of Tempe Public Art program, in collaboration with LeMonde Studios, this innovative project is set to transform Mill Avenue into an interactive canvas from April 3 to April 30.

Light Lane consists of nine stationary bicycles. When pedaled, they illuminate the surroundings with artist-designed imagery and immerses cyclists in the distinctive sounds of Tempe’s local music scene. This engaging installation not only highlights the talents of local artists and musicians but also invites the community and visitors alike to play an active role in the art-making process.

The installation will be dispersed across three strategic locations in downtown Tempe: Center Pointe Plaza, the Mill Avenue U.S. Post Office, and an area just north of the historic Andre Building on Fourth Street and Mill Avenue. These sets of three bikes will be accessible to the public free of charge, 24 hours a day, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of Light Lane, regardless of the time of day.

The visual component of Light Lane features the work of renowned artists Jake Early, Chris Jagmin, and Shachi Kale. Their projections will bring a dynamic layer of storytelling and visual intrigue to the experience, casting a kaleidoscope of colors and forms against the urban backdrop of Tempe.

Complementing the visual art, Light Lane boasts a soundtrack curated from the Tempe Playlist, a celebration of the city’s rich musical diversity. Participants will pedal to the rhythms of the Bad Cactus Brass Band, Bogan Via, Cheap Hotels, Danielle Durack, Miguel Melgoza, One Way Sky, Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Pijama Piyama, Prime Society, Saraswathi Jones, Solh, and Tindal Muzic, among others.

For more information, visit tempe.gov/government/community-services/arts-culture-history/tempe-public-art.

 

 

Tempe Celebrates Bike Month with Outdoor Events
PedalPalooza
Tempe Bicycle Action Group and Cul de Sac are hosting PedalPalooza on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2011 E. Apache Blvd. The event will include games, food trucks, free bike tune-ups, and a six mile group ride.

Bike to Work Day
The first 350 bike riders can stop by, between 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., one of six locations listed below during Tempe’s Bike to Work Day, April 17, to get a free t-shirt and bike repair kit.
• Pyle Center (655 E. Southern Ave.)
• Kiwanis Park Batting Cages (6005 S. All America Way)
• Westside Multi-Gen Center (715 W. Fifth St.)
• Escalante Center (2150 E. Orange St.)
• North Tempe Multi-Gen Center (1555 N. Bridalwreath St.)
• Tempe Transportation Center (200 E. Fifth St.)

Mayor’s Ride
At 7:30 a.m., on April 17, riders can join Tempe Mayor Corey Woods and city councilmembers on a bike ride from Kiwanis Park, 6111 S. All American Way, to the Transportation Center in downtown Tempe.

Bike Hero
Nominate a Tempe Bike Hero, someone who makes life better for Tempe’s two (or three!) wheeled community. Whether it’s done in a low-key manner or with public applause, Tempe wants to honor a person or organization that promotes the bicycling way.

Tempe is accepting nominations for its 2024 Tempe Bike Hero Award now through April 30. Nominated individuals must live or work in Tempe and nominated organizations must be located in Tempe. There is no cost to enter.

To nominate a Tempe Bike Hero and for more information, call Sue Taaffe at 480-350-8663 or visit https://tinyurl.com/7ncpmrbk.