These are not ordinary bike racks

Kenneth Anthony Larriva has provided Nogales bicycle riders with utilitarian art that he hopes will earn him his Eagle badge from the Boy Scouts of America. His eight handcrafted bike racks also add a modern artistic flare to their surroundings.

Larriva was lauded by Mayor Octavio Garcia-Von Borstel and the Nogales City Council at a meeting on Wednesday in which he was awarded $750 to help offset his costs.

He is a Scout in Troop 555, "the strongest, longest-going troop in the Nogales-Santa Cruz County area," said Larriva's dad, Kenneth Larriva.

The goal of the Scouting experience is to help forge young men into maturity through practical and hands-on experiences. To earn the Eagle badge, young men must create a project that shows leadership and community service prior to their 18th birthday, said the elder Larriva, who earned his own Eagle badge in 1980 and was Scoutmaster for the troop that has existed for 40 years.

After completing a project, the youth must present it to the board of the Boy Scouts of America. "I have completed all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout," said the younger Larriva. "But I haven't been awarded it yet." His presentation to the board is pending.

After various sketches and working around the image of a bicycle, Larriva embarked on his project. Using metal tubes, he formed undulations to hold the bikes. The blue racks have wheels at each end with handlebars.

"I got the idea by seeing some other bike racks online," said Larriva.

His plan is to put eight of these racks around the city. He has placed them at the corner of Arroyo Boulevard and Plum Street, city hall's Teyechea Park, and two by the city recreation building on Hohokam Drive. Future locations are the Nogales-Rochlin Public Library, War Memorial Park, and Fleischer Park.

Larriva began his project June 10, to be approved before he became 18 on Sunday, June 29. City Manager Jaime Fontes approved his project June 18.

Larriva is looking for more funding to continue with his project. Each rack costs $250 to make, he told the city council. He needed $2,000 to complete the eight racks since, "metal is so expensive," he said. The council approved a contribution of $750 from the donation account of the general fund for fiscal year 2007-08.

Larriva needs $1,250 to finish the rest of the bicycles. Councilman Armando R. Lopez suggested that Larriva should try looking for support from the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors as well.

"I think it came out sweet," said Larriva. "Nogales will use it a lot."

Larriva graduated this year from Nogales High School. He plans to attend the University of Arizona for pre-med this fall.

Galvez can be reached at 520-375-5769 or rgalvez@nogalesinternational.com