Bikes + Art: Kansas City on Two Wheels — An Art Ride You Can Try Anywhere
- Megan Eubanks
- Aug 21
- 3 min read
Ever wonder what happens when your bike ride doubles as an art crawl? 🎨🚴♀️ ...KC is one giant open-air gallery.
In Kansas City, every back alley, bridge, trellis, and brick wall is a canvas waiting to be discovered. From the gritty, colorful West Bottoms to the bold murals of the Crossroads Arts District, KC is one giant open-air gallery.
And if you want to see just how deep the creativity runs, check out Spray KC’s mural projects. Their work transforms blank walls into living stories — stories you can ride straight through on two wheels.
But KC art isn’t just walls. It’s bridges painted with bold designs, trellises that frame your ride, and sculptures tucked into green spaces. One of the most iconic stops? Riding up to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to see Claes Oldenburg’s giant Shuttlecocks — a Kansas City landmark that turns the museum’s lawn into a playful, world-famous installation. Line up your bike in front of one, and you’re suddenly part of the art.
This is what happens when you get miles in Kansas City: the streets stop being just asphalt and stoplights and start becoming a living, breathing gallery.
Why Bikes + Art Just Work in Kansas City
Art has a way of sneaking up on you. So does a hill. But on a bike, you notice the little things:
A mural peeking out behind a brewery.
Graffiti tucked under an overpass.
Bridge pillar art rising up in the West Bottoms.
A trellis creating the perfect backdrop for your ride.
Or a sculpture in a park that makes you stop and stare.
Kansas City isn’t just a bike town; it’s an art town. And when you put the two together, you get rides that aren’t just about miles — they’re about discovery.
Hidden Gems and Wrong Turns on a Street Art Ride
The beauty of riding for art? It’s never predictable.
Take a wrong turn in the West Bottoms, and you’ll roll into a warehouse wall that feels like it’s yelling at you in neon.
Cruise through the Crossroads, and you’ll stumble on a mural that stops you mid-pedal.
Follow painted bike lanes, and you’ll find that even KC’s infrastructure doubles as public art.
Pedal past sculptures and installations near the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and suddenly your ride feels like a curated tour.
In KC, curiosity is the best route planner.
More Than Just Murals: KC's Stories on Walls (and Beyond)
Street art here isn’t just paint — it’s Kansas City talking out loud. Murals tell stories of the city’s history, grit, joy, and fight. Sculptures remind us of KC’s creative spirit. Bridges and trellises turn from functional to beautiful when you notice the art in their design.
Want the full picture? Start by exploring Spray KC’s projects for a map of KC’s creative pulse — and then get on your bike and see how those pieces come alive when you ride to them.
For even more, Find Masa is a great resource with art in Kansas City and beyond — helping you explore murals, installations, and street art wherever your wheels take you.
Because in Kansas City, and in every city, every ride can be an art ride. 🚴♀️🎨
Your Challenge: Ride Your City Like It's a Gallery
Next time you clip in — whether you’re riding through Kansas City, New York, Berlin, Melbourne, or wherever your wheels spin — see your streets differently:
✔️ Hunt down the murals.
✔️ Cruise neighborhoods with an eye for creativity.
✔️ Snap the walls, sculptures, and graffiti that make you stop.
✔️ Bonus points if your bike makes it into the shot with the art. 🚴♀️🎨
Because cycling isn’t just about logging miles. It’s about how you see the world while you’re getting them.
Ride. Snap. Share.
So here’s the challenge, wherever you are:
➡️ Get miles in your city like it’s an art ride.
➡️ Share what you find (with or without your bike in frame — but we’re keeping score 👀).
➡️ Tag us — let’s turn our rides into a global gallery on wheels.
The streets are already talking. Your bike just gives you the best seat in the house.
Resources for Your Art Ride
🎨 Spray KC Projects – Explore Kansas City murals and public art created by local and international artists.
🖼️ Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art – Visit the world-famous Shuttlecocks and other outdoor installations.
🌍 Find Masa – Discover murals, installations, and street art in Kansas City and beyond. Perfect for planning an art ride anywhere.
🚲 No bike? No problem. In Kansas City, you can rent one through Ride KC Bike. Not in KC? Most big cities now offer city bike rentals — just grab one and start exploring.
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