E-bike community project to engage people in art and research

The University of Derby and Derby City Council have collaborated on a project designed to engage young people and those from marginalised groups in art and research.

The Civic Curiosity E-Bike project will see two large electric bikes, each one featuring a compact wooden cabinet, which can be unfolded to reveal compartments containing curious artefacts, take to the city and county to deliver a programme of events aimed at engaging the public in a mobile and fun way.

Each bike measures just over 2.5 metres in length and features brightly coloured illustrations from local artist Carla Dee.

The bikes made their debut at Timber Festival where S.H.E.D (Social Higher Education Depot) – a spin-out CIC of the University of Derby, which facilitates pop-up research and innovation spaces in the form of a reconfigurable, flat-packed garden shed – delivered a programme of events to visitors.

Dr Rhiannon Jones, associate professor (civic practice) at the University of Derby, and project lead and chief executive of S.H.E.D, said: “This partnership has brought together the university, and Derby City Council-run FamilyHubs and Cycle Derby, and is a great example of how the university works across the city, commissioning local artists and makers through its partners to enable this innovative project to be fulfilled.

“We were lucky enough to receive funding from Derby City Council’s Small Arts Grant towards producing the civic curiosity cabinets and the graphic illustrations for the e-bikes.

“The bikes will be out and about at various events showcasing research from across the university and we are also looking forward to taking them into schools in the city and county in the future, in a bid to engage young people in art and research.

“We are hoping that this project will make a difference to local communities and individuals.”

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “We’re championing the shift to more active and sustainable transport options across the city, so we’re delighted to loan these two bikes as part of the Civic Curiosity E-Bike project.

“It’s such an innovative idea and we hope it will spark imaginations and get people involved.

“It’s a pleasure to work collaboratively with the university on this project.

“S.H.E.D is a fantastic platform for people in our city and we look forward to seeing how the project grows over the next 12 months.”

The concept for S.H.E.D was developed in 2019. Over the past five years, it has created opportunities for more than 800 creatives and 3,500 young people.

Professor Keith McLay, Provost – Teaching and Learning at the university, said: “We’re proud to be a ‘civic university’ and an innovator in the field of public engagement.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact that our new Civic Curiosity E-Bikes will have by making our research more accessible to the public and encouraging an inquisitive outlook among our local communities.”