FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Science Central is working to bring back one of its most recognized attractions — the high-rail bike — with a fundraising campaign aimed at installing a new, updated version of the ride.
The museum is raising $150,000 for a high-wire bike featuring updated safety technology. To fund the project, Science Central is hosting the “Ride the Wire Bike Rally” on Aug. 15. Ticket holders will go on a guided Fort Wayne adventure to collect pieces of a bike puzzle. Ticket prices vary.
The original high-rail bike drew visitors for years and became a fixture of the Science Central experience. Sisters Kailyn Anderson and Tori Goeglein said they visited the museum regularly as children and that the elevated bike track was a highlight of every trip.
“We’ve been coming to Science Central since we were kids,” they said. “And every time mom and dad sent us off to grandparents’ house, we would always come here.”
Now bringing their own children to the museum, the sisters said one memory stands out as missing.
“We missed the big bike track that was elevated,” one of them said. “That was really, really cool.”
Anderson recalled the moment she worked up the courage to ride it.
“I remember being terrified. Because it’s so, it’s almost like disorienting but on purpose. But then I remember finishing and feeling like, wow. It did! Yeah. Like it was the best feeling.”
Geoglein said she had to wait until she was tall enough to ride.
“I remember not being tall enough and my middle sister being able to do it. And being like, oh, I really want to go. So, when I finally was tall enough, I remember begging my grandparents to like, let me come do the bike. And I killed it. Crushed it.”
Science Central said the new attraction will differ slightly from the original but will continue to teach physics concepts.
Marketing Manager, Kirsten Peck, said the effort reflects Science Central’s commitment to the growing Fort Wayne community.
“So the new technology now that exists is a little different. It still demonstrates very similar properties of physics. They’re still going to learn about science, but this is a high-wire bike. So it’s going to be a slightly different thrill, and it’s definitely the evolution of the high-rail bike,” Peck said.
“Fort Wayne is ever-growing, and with the expansion of our city and with the expansion of all of the resources, attractions, and things to do here in Fort Wayne, we too want to give back to our community and give them what they need so that they can learn about science in a fun way and so that they can create these memorable moments with their families,” Peck said.
The Aug. 15 Ride the Wire Bike Rally is partnering with Chick-fil-A, Coney Island, TinCaps, Pufferbelly Junction, Creative Women of the World, Visit Fort Wayne, Good Bread, and The Fort Wayne Assembly. Ticket prices vary.
LINK: Ride The Wire | Science Central
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