Rome Clean and Green is hosting its second annual Bikes in Bloom program aimed at community beautification.
Rome Clean and Green, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful in Rome, New York, rolled into summer with its community beautification initiative Bikes in Bloom. Rome Clean and Green is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers whose mission is to create and sustain a vibrant, healthy city by inspiring and educating individuals to improve their own surroundings.
Bikes in Bloom encourages area nonprofits and business to transform donated bicycles into colorful and unique flower planters, keeping them out of landfills. The bikes are decorated to reflect the groups’ work or mission, and are displayed in front of the businesses and organizations throughout the summer, many of which are located near the downtown corridor.
“People decorating bikes are eager to show off their creativity,” said Rome Clean and Green Executive Director Tanya Davis. “Having groups upcycle old bicycles into something beautiful, while creating something eye-catching for residents and visitors to enjoy is an all-around win!”
The local community is invited to vote for their favorite Bikes in Bloom entry in three categories: Best Reflection of Mission, Best and Brightest, and People’s Choice. The winners will receive a gift card to further their efforts to beautify their organizations’ façade.
“Residents and guests love spying the bikes and note how they brighten up the community and bring positive attention right to the door of our businesses and organizations,” Davis said.
The project, which launched in Rome last year, was inspired by the Greenfield, Indiana-based nonprofit Greenfield Main Street and its Bikes in Bloom program. Bikes in Bloom reflects the work of Rome Clean and Green and encompasses the vision of Keep America Beautiful of a country in which every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live.
“This is a fun and unique way to align with our Keep America Beautiful mission in both recycling and beautification,” she said.