Bikes framed as art to celebrate Le Tour

A TOWN will be decorated with artistically ‘dressed’ old bicycles in celebration of the Tour de France visiting the area.
Barnsley councillor Roy Miller is inviting people to donate unwanted bikesBarnsley councillor Roy Miller is inviting people to donate unwanted bikes
Barnsley councillor Roy Miller is inviting people to donate unwanted bikes

Barnsley residents are being asked to check sheds and garages for unloved or beyond repair bicycles to give them a chance to get a new lease of life and become part of an art project.

The Tour de France Grand Depart takes place in Yorkshire over the weekend of July 5 and 6. Stage two on Sunday, July 6 will see riders passing through Barnsley’s beautiful Langsett area around 3pm and 4.30pm before to Sheffield for the finish.

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Barnsley Council is planning to dress the town centre with decorated bicycles, aided by Barnsley Market traders who will be using their stall goods as themes. Bikes will be covered in flowers, fruit and veg and even underwear.

The bicycles will be revealed on March 27 – the start of a 100-day Cultural Festival designed to encourage mass public participation in arts and cultural events in the run up to the Grand Départ.

Barnsley Market trader Geoff Blackburn, who has donated the first bike, joked: “Vive le Tour de France, et vive le Marche!”

Meanwhile, cycle shop Ilkley Cycles has opened in Skipton Road on the Tour de France route. The peloton will pass on July 5, en route to Harrogate.