Bognor artists use pedal power to create paintings

The saddle artists devised the paintings with their leg power at the Pedal Power afternoon in Hotham Park.

The results of their exertions were a mass of A4 abstract creations in a range of bright colours.

Among those who used their muscles to artistic effect were North Bersted brother and sister Christopher and Sophie Gilbert.

Christopher, eight, said: “My paintings look good. One is like an explosion and the other is like a smiley face.

“I’m going to put them on my bedroom wall.”

For Sophie, 12, said: “It was good making paintings. It was hard work but it was nice seeing what you have created.”

An older artist was Sandra Stankova, 32, of Bognor. She said: “It was lovely and really fun. I enjoyed creating a black, green and red painting.

“I loved how the paintings looked like and I wanted to make one to have a memory of the afternoon.”

The paintings were ‘made’ with a one-of-a-kind Whirly Wheels bicycle of a 1970s exercise bike powering a spinning turntable in a bass drum mounted on a set of coffee table legs in the Pedal Emporium gazebo.

Operator Carolyn Ryves said: “We’ve had a really good response. We have not stopped. There have been people of all ages taking part from tots upwards. They enjoy the colour and the creative nature of it.”

As well as the painting, Pedal Emporium also featured a pedal-powered bubble machine which produced bubbles according to the speed of the pedalling.

Pedal Power was staged last Wednesday for the first time by Bognor Regis Town Council. Events officer Kirsten Fitzpatrick said it had been a success in spite of the bone-chilling weather with temperature which felt like 2C and overcast sky.

“There has been a steady stream of people who have come through. A lot of them have said it’s a shame it’s not nice and sunny like it was yesterday,” she said.

“This is the only event of its kind in the area and this shows there is a market for it.

“It has been worthwhile putting it on because it is a new event for Bognor.”

The sound system was provided by Reaction Bikes who took along five static bikes to create the power to produce the sounds which was shown in a series of red and green lights.

The afternoon was completed by Arun Wellbeing and Awesome Sports.

The latter held a mini-park run in which some 25 children and adults took part.

Arun Wellbeing promoted its healthy heart campaign. Activities enabled people to monitor their heart rate during exercise.

Bognor town centre mum Sarah Buck, 27, took her two children, aged six and one, to Pedal Power. “It’s a bit of entertainment for the half-term holiday,” she said. “It’s something for the children to do.

“They are enjoying themselves. We come to practically everything in Bognor. They are free and they are outdoors as well. It’s good to get out of the house with the children.”

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