In Situ: Bicycle Fence by Wills Kinsley

The bicycle fence is very close to my house in Trenton, but I didn’t notice it till years after it was made. When I realized what it was, I was like, “Whoa! What is this?” and upon closer look, I was blown away by the design, the skill and the artistry with how a fence of this caliber was constructed- out of bicycle parts!

The artist is Wills Kinsley. a Trenton-based artist, activist, and bike lover who’s all about mixing creativity with community. His work brings together art, cycling, and local engagement in a way that feels fresh and purposeful.

When it comes to art, Wills has a talent for turning recycled bike parts into amazing sculptures. He’s worked on everything from funky bike racks to sculptural fences, like the ones he built for the East Trenton Collaborative and the Boys & Girls Club Teaching Garden. He’s also reimagined downtown spaces by converting old parking meter poles into bike racks. As a founding member of the Sage Coalition and Gallery 219, Wills has been part of some big public art projects in Trenton, including the “Windows of Soul” series, the “Reflect/Transform” installation, and collaborations like Bentrice Jusu’s “East Trenton” mural and the restoration of Nam June Paik’s “PBS (1963-2000).”

But Wills isn’t just about making art—he’s all-in on building a cycling community too. He leads the Social Ride, a monthly bike tour that explores Trenton’s history, and heads up the Tour de Trenton as president of Trenton Cycling Revolution. He’s also into teaching, helping teens at the Boys & Girls Club Bike Exchange learn bike maintenance, and even started Trenton Bike Polo to bring more people into the cycling world.

When he’s not working on art or bikes, Wills spends his time at Z Signs, designing and building custom signs for local businesses. Whether it’s through his art, activism, or cycling, Wills is all about making Trenton a more creative, sustainable, and connected place to live.