Interactive cycle sculpture unveiled outside the Rochdale Pioneers Museum

Photo: Andy Hirst Photography

Tour de France Cycle Sculpture

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

A new interactive cycle sculpture was unveiled outside the Rochdale Pioneers Museum at the Tour de France Countdown Party held on Saturday (28 June).

Mayor of Rochdale Carol Wardle attended the unveiling of the sculpture which spells out the word ‘Coop’ and features the rolling hills around Rochdale, the town hall and a colourful peloton of bikes.

By turning a series of pedals visitors can interact with the sculpture and make a rider at the top of the sculpture move.

Using recycled bicycle bits young people from Sparth Community Centre/Rochdale Youth Service have worked with sculptor Richard Dawson to create the sculpture which is inspired by the themes of cycling and co-operation and in particular by the Tour de France coming through Rochdale Borough.

The young people have had ownership over the creative process from the outset, having engaged in a Pioneers inspired democratic vote to decide on its content. Artist Richard Dawson said of the project ‘It has been absolutely fantastic, one of the best things I have ever done. It is not my sculpture it is the young people’s sculpture, they’ve come up with the ideas and have worked out how it is going to work. They’ve put in a lot of hard work and creativity, I have merely been there to help them and do a bit of welding!

One participant Azeem said: "I helped make the man and the town hall’ and another participant Zahra said of the sculpture ‘I am very pleased, it looks fantastic."

The wider community has also contributed to the creation of the artwork at several events held at the Museum. The artwork will continue to grow over the summer as more young people from Rochdale Youth Service will be working with Richard Dawson thanks to a special grant from Rochdale Council to celebrate the Tour de France.
All of Toad Lane got involved with the Tour de France Countdown Party with The Baum serving Tour de France themed ales and St Mary in the Baum Church serving refreshments. The Rochdale Pioneers Museum also had a pedal powered smoothie maker provided by Sustrans NW.

The artwork will be displayed outside the museum until 25 October to compliment the temporary exhibition ‘Co-operation on wheels’. ‘Co-operation on wheels’ looks at how bikes were used by co-operative societies and members and how and why the Co-operative Wholesale Society manufactured bikes. It also examines co-operatives who sponsor Tour de France teams and explores how a new wave of co-operatives are keeping the historic links between cycling and co-operation alive.