Custom bike rack in the shape of a shark outside the Haysville Activity Center

Have you ever considered the benefits of adding Custom Bike Racks with fins, tails, and teeth to your town, business or school?

That's what the City of Haysville in Kansas did recently when they installed a custom bike rack in the shape of a shark at their beautiful, new activity center.

At the center, built in 2017, the recreation department manages a giant-size pool for town residents.

Nearby, the rec department brings a bit of the beach to Kansas with two sand volleyball courts. They offer plenty of activities indoors as well from tiny tot basketball to family movie nights.

Georgie Carter, recreation director, said the shark-shaped custom bike rack has special significance.

"Shark week is always something the lifeguards have fun with during the summer," she said.

In addition, the youth swim team is called the "Piranhas" so there is a tie-in there as well.

How does she like her very unique outdoor bike rack?

"I love it!" was Georgie's response. "Since it is still cold here, I haven't gotten many comments. But those that have seen it really like it!"

The exciting thing about the shark bike rack is that it holds a prominent spot right outside the activity center. In a way, it sends a signal that "this is a fun place!"

Adding this custom bike rack like, with its ribs similar to traditional grid bike racks, also sends a message encouraging citizens, both young and old, to travel there by bicycle.

The MIG-welded, thick-gauge metal bike rack is super sturdy and wide, so it offers plenty of secure outdoor bike parking.

Providing a secure bike rack is of upmost importance today for two reasons: more cyclists are shelling out big bucks for bicycles, especially those lightweight bikes made with carbon-frames, and thieves have become more adept at stealing those bikes.

Bicycle thefts are on the rise. The FBI estimates more than one million bicycles are stolen every year, although many go unreported.

Thieves now use more sophisticated tools, such as bolt cutters or even portable saws, to steal bikes.

That's why its smart to place an outdoor bike rack in a highly visible location, like the Haysville rec department did with their shark bike rack positioned out in front of the center.

Install custom bike racks to make an artistic statement

Manufacturing technology is available today to create custom bike racks in just about any shape.

You can choose basically any design you can imagine.

The Park and Facilities Catalog has processed requests for custom bike racks in the shape of coffee cups, fish and even a bicycle.

Installing an artistic bike rack can add zest to any location.

Like Haysville, order an outdoor bike rack in the shape of a team or school mascot.

For businesses, catch the attention of passers-by and cyclists with a commercial bike rack in the shape of what you offer - a slice of pizza, a hot dog, donuts, beer mugs, etc.

Custom bike racks are also a great way for a town to instantly add sidewalk art.

Request custom bike racks in the shape of something associated with the town such as a particular flower or a beach or mountain scene.

These metal bike racks can also be powder-coated in a tremendous range of bright colors - red, green, yellow, purple, ultra-blue and many other vibrant hues.

These attractive bike racks will soon become the talk around the area.

But more importantly, a business or town also sends a message saying, "We encourage and support cyclists."

The more people bicycle downtown, the fewer cars there will be to clog congested streets, fill parking areas and create pollution.

In addition, studies show consumers who bicycle to an area tend to spend more per month than consumers who drive. Makes sense. If bicycling is easy, traveling downtown won't seem to be a chore compared to driving, waiting in traffic and trying to find a place to park.

Haysville is a suburb of Wichita and has a population of about 11,000. The city, founded in the early 1870s, is known as the "Peach Capital of Kansas." There are plenty of festivals and fun things to so.

Here's a wave of our fin to the city of Haysville, KS. Residents will be sure to notice and talk about that shark bike rack for years, especially when it's time for big scary fish week.

Their unique custom bike rack will continue to be a symbol to show this activity center is a fun place to hang out, and this is a town that truly cares about the happiness and well-being of its citizens.