TUCSON, AZ — Tucson is part of a cohort of cities, including Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, expanding bike share access and equity as part of the Better Bike Share Partnership’s Living Labs program. Tugo Bike Share is leading a community-driven effort to reallocate its services to better serve the south and west sides of Tucson, ensuring a more equitable distribution of bike share resources.
The City of Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility, in partnership with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, is pleased to announce the launch of “Art in Motion: Tugo Bike Wraps,” a temporary public art project designed to enhance the visibility and ridership of the Tugo bikeshare system. Funded by the Better Bike Share Partnership, this initiative seeks to spark community dialogue around access, identity, and the role of public transportation in Tucson’s barrios.
“This project was an incredible opportunity for young bike advocates to actively engage in the public art process as panelists.” – Ariel Fry, Public Art Coordinator
The project features original artist-designed vinyl wraps installed on one Tugo bikeshare station, including eight docks and eight Tugo bikes, located in Menlo Park, Tucson. The vibrant and motivational designs, created by the Arts Foundation Roster Artist Monique Laraway (RevoltA Art), incorporate themes recommended by a diverse seven-person panel, including youth and community members passionate about cycling. Themes such as the desert, local landmarks and bright, positive visuals are woven into the design, titled “Friends of the Santa Cruz River.”
“In a world that can feel heavy, bikes — like the wildlife along the Santa Cruz River — remind us that joy, movement, and renewal are always possible. These designs honor the resilient creatures who call the river home, including those returning as the ecosystem heals — from the beaver to the Gila topminnow. A small celebration of motion, adaptation, and the life flowing back into our waterway — one pedal at a time.” – Artist, Monique Laraway
Upcoming Events:
To celebrate the unveiling of the art bikes, the 2nd Sunday Bicis y Burros Tugo Tour hosted by Families United Gaining Accessibility (FUGA) is planned for Sunday, October 12th, from 8-10 am, starting at the Ward 1 Office. During this community bike ride, participants will have the opportunity to provide input on a proposal to redistribute five Tugo bike share stations on the Westside. All community members are invited to join and ride along to celebrate this artistic and community-driven initiative.
Additional upcoming events include Cyclovia on October 26th, from 9 am to 3 pm, where three miles of car-free city streets will be activated for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, roll, skate, and enjoy neighborhoods.
Join FUGA for a Southside last Friday Halloween ride on October 31st from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. This ride will begin at the El Pueblo Center North parking lot and the art bikes can be reserved for free.
For more information and to provide feedback, visit the Redistributing TugoBike Share page.
