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Mystery floral bikes appear across Kent

15:12, 23 March 2021

updated: 15:43, 23 March 2021

Bicycles decorated with flowers have mysteriously appeared in Kent.

Under the cover of darkness, an unknown artist has been displaying the bikes in Gillingham, Rainham and Canterbury to spread a message of positivity during these trying times.

Lillah Mann, 6, with one of the bikes in Mierscourt Road in Rainham. Picture: Flower Power Bikes
Lillah Mann, 6, with one of the bikes in Mierscourt Road in Rainham. Picture: Flower Power Bikes

Known as Flower Power Bikes on Facebook, the individual behind it wished to remain anonymous to keep the mystery alive.

The designer was inspired by Dutch creator 'flowerbikemann' who shared his floral creations via Instagram.

The artist said: "After I respray the bike, I tie flower garlands from end to end, then wrap them around the framework as a base and then add flowers to make them what you see, blooming fun.

"Making them definitely helped me through the first lockdown, it gave me a purpose and kept me motivated.

"They're also dedicated to the NHS for the hard work they have done during these strange and difficult times.

A bicycle with a festive theme which appeared near Fond Coffee in Canterbury over Christmas. Picture: Flower Power Bikes
A bicycle with a festive theme which appeared near Fond Coffee in Canterbury over Christmas. Picture: Flower Power Bikes

"It's all about creating smiles, that's it."

A total of four bikes have been created since the artist began making them during the first lockdown.

They have appeared at Rainham train station, the Gillingham business park, Mierscourt Road and London Road in Rainham, and one with a festive twist near Fond Coffee in Canterbury.

A fifth bike is ready to be transformed and displayed "somewhere locally", either decorated with sunflowers, records, or both. The artist has been offered two more bikes.

Rainham resident Victoria Strange and her daughter Lillah Mann saw the bike in Mierscourt Road on Sunday.

The creator described how people had been stopping to pose with the creations. Picture: Flower Power Bikes
The creator described how people had been stopping to pose with the creations. Picture: Flower Power Bikes

Victoria said: "The bikes are beautiful and a wonderful way to brighten people's day and put a smile on our faces.

"It's a lovely way to thank our incredible NHS workers and hopefully help them feel a little brighter on their way to or from work.

"My daughter had actually seen it from the car and I hadn't - she insisted she'd seen a bike made of flowers and wanted to show me.

"I had no idea what she was talking about but sure enough, there it was!"

To find out more about the creations, visit the artist's Facebook page.

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