Downtown Billings is home to a unique public art experience known as the #LIGHTBIKETRAIL. This walkable trail showcases wall-mounted, LED-lit bicycles, each paired with stunning and individual painted murals. Located in the heart of downtown Billings, specifically within its charming alleyways, this initiative is part of the Downtown Billings Public Art program, aimed at enhancing the beauty of the area and promoting a safer environment for everyone.
Mural art at Heartfelt Club Tattoo on the Light Bike Trail
The Light Bike Trail is more than just a display of art; it’s an invitation to explore the hidden gems of downtown Billings. Each location on the trail offers a different artistic perspective, thanks to the diverse range of artists and styles involved. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key stops along this captivating urban art walk:
Explore the Light Bike Locations
The trail includes a variety of locations, each offering a unique mural and light bike installation. Here are some highlighted spots to discover on your walk:
- Downtown Billings Office: Keep an eye out for the mobile LightBike displayed in the front window at 102 N. 29th St. This portable installation helps spread the word about the Light Bike Trail and the broader Public Art Program initiatives, bringing the conversation directly to the street level.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital Buchanan Capital
- Buchanan Capital (14 N. 24th St., South alley): Artist Emily Davidson is creating a mural for this location. While the mural is forthcoming, the location itself is part of the trail, promising future artistic enhancements.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital The Pub Station
- The Pub Station (2502 1st Ave. N., South alley): Artist Molly Schiltz created a mural that spans the building’s length, offering an artistic aerial perspective of interconnected roads, walkways, bike trails, and alleyways. This design is cleverly overlaid on a topographical view of the local landscape, complete with hills and mountains. The artwork emphasizes community connection through shared culture and physical pathways, inspired by the illuminated bicycle – a symbol of Billings’ transport, recreation, and community spirit. Notably, this was the original Light Bike and the inspiration for the entire trail.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital Step Inc.
- Step Inc. (11 N. 26th St., South side of building): Kyle McCaffrey’s mural, “Happy little hillside,” is a miniature masterpiece packed with delightful details. Green grass, wildflowers, trees, and billowy Montana clouds fill this mural, encouraging passersby to take a closer look and discover something new each time.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital The Monte
- The Monte (2816 1st Ave. N., East alley, next to 406 Glass): Becca DeMayer’s “The Monte Mermaid” mural is a touching memorial inspired by a beloved patron of The Monte bar and casino, who was an artist fascinated by mermaids. Depicting a river mermaid with the message “Rest easy” in the water ripples, a rainbow trout, fireflies, and a crescent moon, this nighttime scene beautifully complements the coral and seafoam LightBike.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital Heartfelt Club Tattoo
- Heartfelt Club Tattoo (2914 1st Ave. N., East alley, side of building): Sean Sapone’s art pays homage to mid-20th-century tattooer Bert Grimm. This large-scale mural reflects Grimm’s folk art influence and Americana imagery, aiming to resonate both within Montana and broadly across American cultural and tattoo history.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital ArtHouse Cinema & Pub
- ArtHouse Cinema & Pub (109 N. 30th St., East alley, back of building): Ryen Luce & Gunner Stephan’s mural bursts with 60’s western comic book style. It features five cowboys with movie production equipment heads – a camera, film reel, typewriter, movie marker, and spotlight – a vibrant pop art representation connecting Montana and the Art House Cinema.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital Sandstone Gallery
- Sandstone Gallery (2913 2nd Ave. N., East alley, side of building): This impressive 50ft wide x 12ft tall mural, “Symbols of Montana,” is a collaborative piece by various artists. It showcases iconic Montana symbols like the grizzly bear (inspired by Lynn Shield’s “Purple Bear”), meadowlark (painted by Dick Cottrill), bitterroot, moose (designed after Teresa Brown’s “Mr. Moose”), and other recognizable Montana imagery.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital 29th St. Alley
- 29th St. Alley (212 N. 29th St., North alley, between Hedden Empire Building & Parking Garage): This alleyway features multiple murals. Dana Zier & Laura Morledge’s “The Lone Pine mural” captures a beautiful Montana summer scene. Ruby Hahn’s vibrant mural highlights native ponderosa pines and bitterroot wildflowers. Janice Pulzin’s large Triceratops mural adds a playful nod to the region’s prehistoric past.
Bike List Icon for Buchanan Capital Big Sky Economic Development
- Big Sky Economic Development (201 N. Broadway, East alley, behind building): Features collaborative art pieces by the Canvas Creek Team Building, involving over 450 community members in three framed works from a 2023 Space2Place grant project. Michael Martin’s mural, “Grace,” presents three greyscale angels on a significant 1,700-square-foot wall.
Check out our digital map to easily navigate the Light Bike Trail and discover all these artistic locations.
Plan Your Visit to the Light Bike Trail
The Light Bike Trail in downtown Billings is a fantastic way to experience public art in a unique setting. Perfect for a leisurely walk, this trail offers a blend of artistic expression and urban exploration. As you wander through the alleyways, you’ll discover not only the creatively lit bikes and murals but also the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Billings.
Remember to check the digital map to plan your route and ensure you don’t miss any of these captivating light bike installations and murals. Keep an eye out for future additions to the Light Bike Trail, as more locations are expected to be added, further enriching this already impressive public art initiative. Explore the Light Bike Trail and discover the artistic heart of Billings!
