DENVER — The Denver Public Library is having no trouble finding librarians willing to pedal its sky-blue book bike to various gatherings in the city.
"There's a lot of competition to get out on Wheelie," said librarian Mikel Stone. "I think because it is so fun to be riding like you're a one-person circus."
Wheelie is a bike and trailer combo that comes with a collection of library books chosen especially for each event.
"We were at the Denver County Fair this last weekend," Stone said. "We brought lots of kids books to that."
Wheelie makes appearances at festivals, food truck roundups and special events like Denver Comic Con.
The librarian on duty can help people check out books and sign up for a library card.
Denver's public library system has had book bikes for about two years.
Currently, there are two identical Wheelies, which are Raleigh Detour 3's with a step-through frame, custom painted by a local bike shop to match the trailer.
The trailer weighs about 100 pounds empty, but is so well-balanced that it's pretty easy to pull.
"I think Wheelie as a persona just brings a lot of good energy and people want to be associated with that," said Stone.
Wheelie will be at the outdoor showing of the film Ramble at Su Teatro next Wednesday and then at Untitled Final Friday at the Denver Art Museum the following Friday.
To find out more information or to request a Wheelie appearance at your upcoming community event, email us at wheeliethebookbike@denverlibrary.org.
