The colorful fish, canoes, and large bikes made of metal popping up around International Falls are not just for decoration — they are bike racks.

The bike racks, which were designed to fit with the representation of the area, were one of the goals established by a local active living coalition organized by Natalie Stone, Statewide Health Improvement Program coordinator and health educator with the Koochiching County Health Department.

“Our goal is to help Minnesotans live longer, healthier lives,” said Stone of the group.

The focus of SHIP is to prevent tobacco abuse and obesity — the leading causes of chronic disease. The initiative of the program is for Minnesotans to choose healthier behaviors by making changes in the places they life, learn, work, and play, according to a statement. The program exists in each of 87 Minnesota counties and eight of the 11 tribal nations in the state, Stone added.

Stone and members of the coalition came up with a plan of action to promote healthier, active living in the community while enhancing a safe, bicycle-friendly environment in the International Falls area.

“Our group came up with five goals to strengthen physical activity in the area,” Stone explained.

She continued that the bike racks stemmed from one of the goals which was to encourage people to ride their bikes more.

Bike racks have previously been identified as a critical resource lacking in the International Falls area, specifically in public destination areas, Stone said. A mapping assessment of current bike racks was done by the coalition and the group identified 11 additional locations where new racks would be needed.

To acquire funding for the bike rack project, Stone wrote a mini grant to secure the money from SHIP. Money from a Boise Safety Milestone Award also came in to purchase one of the racks, she said.

The unique structures were welded by a local welder, who requested to remain anonymous. Stone said the custom designs of the bike racks were chosen to fit the up north theme of the area.

A total of 12 bike racks will be placed in 11 locations including: Cine 5, KOOTASCA, Smokey Bear Park, the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Backus Community Center, the Forestland Annex building, Riverside Park, Centennial Park, Rainy River Community College, Falls Elementary School and The Sports Shop.

“Not all of the bike racks are up, but the (International Falls) city crew is working hard on it,” Stone said.

Stone noted that this project has been in the works for more than a year and she and others who where involved are pleased to see the bike racks finally be available for public use. She continued that business owners are pleased to see the bike racks are installed, too.

“There have been two summers that have gone by without them (bike racks),” Stone said with a laugh. She added that she is glad the weather has been nice so that people have the opportunity to use the bike racks before the snow flies.

She said that there has been some confusion on what the structures are, however, most are catching on quickly.

“Within 10 minutes of one of the racks being installed, there were bikes there,” Stone said.

While the bike racks are sturdy and have no sharp edges, Stone asks people to refrain for climbing on them.

“We want to keep them looking nice,” she said. “These bike racks are all about safety when it comes to biking whether it’s wearing your helmet, locking your bike up, or just not climbing on them. Safety comes first.”

Stone hopes the eye-catching pieces will get used frequently and people will make an effort to be more active and live a long, healthier life.