The Quality of Life Task Force of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance is distributing bike racks in high commuter cyclist areas in our region. The first three racks of ten are now out in the community with the remaining seven to be put out by the end of the year. 

The second rack was delivered to the Salvation Army located at 3020 Legion Street in Lake Charles. “We are so excited to be a part of this community in Lake Charles. We want to thank our community of SWLA for helping us raise funding over the Christmas season that we are using to increase our Social Service programs in order to give back. The bike rack we received will help community members who come to our location for help find a place to safely park their bikes. Construction will begin in April for our Center of Hope Shelter. Once construction is completed, the bike rack will allow residents of the shelter who use their bike for transportation to and from work a place to confidently store their bikes,” - Lt. LeAnna Marion of The Salvation Army 

In the coming weeks our Family store, which helps assist in funding our Social Services, will re-open. Once open we are asking the community to come by with donations of gently used furniture, clothing, household items, and electronics. Community members can call us at 337-721-8068 if they are in need of Social Services or have questions,” continued Lt Marion.

The first rack in Sulphur was placed at Care Help located at 200 North Huntington Street. 

The bike rack project was a collaboration between the SWLA Economic Development Alliance Foundation, SOWELA Community Technology College, Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition & Polaris Engineering with assistance from SWLAHEC. 

• The racks were purchased by the Louisiana Healthy Communities Coalition.
• The pelican end caps were designed by Erik Jessen, Graphic Art Instructor at SOWELA.
• The metal pelicans were created by Polaris Engineering who paid for the materials and used their equipment to manufacture the pelicans.
• The end caps were welded by Jonathan Darbonne, Welding Instructor at SOWELA
• The racks were then assembled and painted locally by Lake Area Equipment
• Delivery was handled by local delivery experts Gophr, which provides local shopping online and delivery for items large and small. From everyday retail items to industrial equipment, Gophr delivers solutions. 

“Gophr is proud to support our community in every way possible. We are excited to be a part of this bike rack placement as it creates a more local-friendly environment for everyone.” - David Soileau COO 

The next round of bike racks to be placed around the area and to expanded parts of our region is dependent on donations made to our Quality of Life fund at the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. This fund is also set aside for public art and other projects that can bring our community together. Donations – no matter how small – help fund projects like the Downtown Dog Park which was one of the first projects of the Quality of Life Task Force. Donations can be made day or night at https://www.foundationswla.org/life-fund.