First Push
In collaboration with SCRD, BaltimoreDOT, and Baltimore Vision Zero, Praxis Placemaking Studio was commissioned to create an engaging public art installation along North Avenue—one of Baltimore’s Tier 1 High Injury Network corridors. The goal was to spark conversation and awareness around street safety and how people move through one of the city’s most critical and dangerous streets.
Placemaking
Vision Zero
Public Art Installation
Photography by Courtney Richeson
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As part of a larger campaign strategy for the Baltimore Vision Zero Action Plan, BaltimoreDOT sought to gather on-the-ground feedback through public art installations. Praxis was one of two artists selected to design an engaging art installation that would be used to spark interest and incorporate survey opportunities.
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Leaning into nostalgia and the shared memory of riding a bike for the first time, the team designed First Push as an interactive installation built from a single aluminum frame with vinyl graphics. A recycled bicycle wheel and hub invite tactile engagement, while visual play and QR code integration encourage participation and feedback to support Vision Zero data collection.
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Designed by Praxis Placemaking Studio in collaboration with Custom Reclaimed and DUO Signage, the installation brings Vision Zero goals into the public realm in a playful, approachable way. First Push sparks dialogue about mobility—walking, biking, driving, and transit—transforming North Avenue into a space for reflection, interaction, and community-driven insight around safer streets.
