Sea-themed bike racks attract riders around Marblehead
You may have spotted them around town this summer and mistaken them for art installations, but they’re actually colorful bike racks in nautical shapes. Marbleheaders Bruce and Judy Eissner donated the bike racks, working with Sustainable Marblehead and the Recreation and Parks Department.
“We’ve lived in town for almost 50 years and we enjoy giving back to the place where we raised our family,” said Judy Eissner. “I grew up in a small Midwest town and biked to school almost every day. I used to bike around Marblehead, along the rail trail, and I would bike to work at Shetland Park in Salem.”
The racks — shaped like a fish and anchor – are at Crocker Park and Chandler Hovey. In total, they accommodate 24 bikes.
“They’re beautiful and they call attention to biking,” said Lynn Bryant of Sustainable Marblehead. “I live near Crocker Park and my heart just soared the other day to see one of the bike racks full.
“They’re a great reminder that bicycling is fun, healthy, and safe and doesn’t leave a carbon footprint,” she added.
The Eissners had two goals in choosing the bike rack donation.
“There’s the higher idea of combating climate change, and the simple idea of reminding folks to enjoy getting around town on bikes,” said Bruce Eissner.
Pat Milner with the Bike MOR (Marblehead Off Road) Project loves the new racks.
“It’s definitely great for the town in promoting and encouraging cycling in Marblehead,” Milner said. “We are grateful for the donations and hope that it gets more people out and about on bikes.”
Bruce and Judy Eissner have a long tradition of donations to the town. They provided funding for a fitness trail at the back of Seaside Park and they have given several collections of history and art books to Abbot Public Library.
