Location: Roeland Park, Kansas, USA
Market: Recreational Playground / Public Art
Product: Hollo-Bolt by Lindapter
Client: Roeland Park Council
Contractor: DI Build

Located at R Park in Roeland Park, Kansas, "The Mighty Bike" is an iconic, 3.6m tall, 6.7m long, climbable art sculpture designed by artist Matt Kirby and fabricated by Machine Head. Imagined as a supersized 1960s-style flying bicycle equipped with climbing nets, a telescope, and an enlarged paper round basket that serves as a balcony. Designed to promote play and celebrate local pedestrian and cycling culture, the playscape required a high-strength, durable structural framing solution to safely accommodate children climbing across its multi-level features.

Roeland Park City Council and main contractor DI Build required a structural connection capable of securing the sculpture's intricate frame, which is primarily constructed from round steel structural hollow sections (SHS). Due to the enclosed SHS design, conventional through-bolting would have been complicated to install. The interactive sculpture is installed outdoors and subject to dynamic loads and weathering. This required the connection solution to deliver exceptional structural integrity, long-term corrosion resistance, and a snag-free surface to guarantee child safety.

To fulfil the aesthetic, performance, and safety criteria, the design team specified Stainless Steel Countersunk Head Hollo-Bolts by Lindapter. The Hollo-Bolt provided a robust blind-fastening solution specifically engineered for structural hollow steel sections, allowing secure installation entirely from the exterior. Selecting high-grade stainless steel ensured superior corrosion protection for long-term outdoor exposure in a public park setting.

Fabricated then assembled on site by Machine Head, the SHS steel members were connected using the countersunk Hollo-Bolts. Installers aligned the pre-drilled curved collar plates against the SHS members and inserted the Hollo-Bolt assemblies directly into the holes. Using standard hand tools, the internal expanding cone was drawn up into the body of the bolt as torque was applied, expanding the sleeve securely against the inside wall of the structural tube. This straightforward, one-sided installation process eliminated the need for complex welding on site or specialised equipment, protecting the brightly painted finish of the structure.

The integration of Lindapter Stainless Steel Countersunk Hollo-Bolts ensured that "The Mighty Bike" sculpture-playscape achieved the highest standards of structural stability and safety. By combining high structural load capacity with high-grade weathering resistance, Lindapter helped deliver a durable, low-maintenance community asset that will safely inspire interactive play and public enjoyment for years to come.

• Robust, high-strength blind connection
• One-sided installation ideal for hollow sections
• Stainless steel for long-term corrosion resistance
• Countersunk head provides a clean, aesthethic finish
• Eliminated site welding, protecting painted finishes