ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP -- Planted smack in the middle of a new housing development targeting Grand Valley State University students stands a tree of a different sort.

The steel palm tree-like structure exists as both an urban sculpture and a functional bicycle rack. The one installed at the Village at 48 West is the first of many a Grand Rapids design firm hopes to plant.Design Plus Inc., has a patent pending on the Bike Petal, a vertical bicycle rack that is manufactured by Porter Corp., of Holland.

"We wanted something visible, that would be sculptural and appealing to the urban environment," said Peter Lazdins, principal at Design Plus.

The architecture, landscape and interior design firm created the Bike Petal for employees, and the initial prototype stands in its parking lot, 230 E. Fulton St.

About six of the racks have been made so far, including the one at Village at 48 West and four purchased by GVSU for installation on its Allendale campus.

Headed by Vern Ohlman, the firm is also partnering with a group of local bicycle enthusiasts to try and install several racks -- with available bicycles for community use -- around downtown Grand Rapids next month for the ArtPrize festival.

Initially, the hope was to marry a solar-powered electronic system to the steel frame, allowing anyone to swipe a credit card at an unmanned station and rent a bike for transportation between ArtPrize venues. However, both time and money are in short supply, and bike-share proponents instead are planning staffed stations during the festival.

Next year, perhaps, for the solar-powered stations, said Jane Lovett, owner of Peaches Bed & Breakfast in Grand Rapids and a member of petalgr.

"We either need to throw a lot of money at it, or we need more time," said Lovett, who approached Design Plus with the bike share idea after she and her husband used the Velib public bike system in Paris, France.

Petalgr is working to find underwriters or sponsors for the stations, which Design Plus is retailing between $4,000 and $5,000 depending on quantity. Bikes for the program also must be found.

Lovett wants to add Grand Rapids to the list of U.S. cities installing bicycle-sharing programs, such as SmartBike DC in Washington, D.C., B-Cycle in Denver and a proposed program in Philadelphia.

A standalone, fee-based bike share in Grand Rapids would promote the city's green image while also showcasing the Bike Petal as a unique, West Michigan-produced product.

"If we can keep them around as permanent structures so people have a place to park their bikes in the downtown area after ArtPrize is gone, I think that'll be appreciated," Lazdins said.

Permanent installation would require approval by the city's Automobile Parking Commission.

City Parking Services Director Pamela Ritsema said she is on board with the temporary plan for ArtPrize, which runs Sept. 23 to Oct. 10.

"We realize that parking is more than about just parking cars," she said. "If this is a permanent installation, I think we'd like to have all the details pinned down before the Parking Commission agreed to it."

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