ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (May 6, 2026) — The Quad Cities Bicycle Club along with Quad City Arts, River Action, Rock Island Parks and Recreation, and countless friends of Dean and Deb Mathias crowdfunded a seven-piece sculpture surrounded by a pollinator garden in recognition of Mathias’s lasting contributions to the cycling community. The sculpture garden is permanently installed east of the parking lot located behind the stage, in the grassy area between the parking lot and the bluff, parallel to the bike path. The sculpture will be dedicated to Dean and Deb at Schwiebert Park at noon on Friday, May 29, 2026.
The public is welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be provided. Those wishing to linger are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The sculpture consists of seven brightly-colored steel silhouettes of bicycles with riders. At the center of the arrangement is a silhouette taken directly from a photo of Dean, with another of his wife, Deb, at his side. Between them, a young girl confidently peddles, representing the future of cycling. In front of them, a male and female in racing formation represent the Quad Cities Criterium. Flanking the group is a BMX rider and a mountain biker, two other popular forms of cycling in the Quad Cities. Around and behind the sculptures is a pollinator garden created by Dig-It Native Gardens and Landscaping with the help of Rock Island Parks and Recreation. The garden is in its infant stage but will flourish as the months and years go by. Natural gardening is important to Mathias’s and the garden will enhance the sculpture and the surrounding park.
Dean, affectionately known as “Bareback,” rode a custom-built bicycle without a saddle — a defining trait replicated in this sculpture as a symbol of his unique spirit. He embodied fitness, generosity, and leadership, often riding at the back of group rides and RAGBRAI to assist others with repairs, directions, energy snacks, moral support, or just providing camaraderie. He believed, “It’s not about the number of people I beat; it’s about the number of people I meet,” and lived by the motto, “Never leave a cyclist behind.”
Deb was not only a partner on the journey, but a leader and force within the cycling community in her own right. She rode thousands of miles, shared in every challenge and triumph, and served for many years as an officer of the Quad Cities Bicycle Club. Known for her dedication, warmth, and steady presence, Deb helped create a welcoming and inclusive environment where riders of all ages and abilities felt encouraged to participate and belong.
Together, Dean and Deb inspired others to embrace the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling. As passionate recreational cyclists and bicycle commuters, they recognized the importance of safe infrastructure. Dean organized advocacy rides and served on multiple committees to advocate for the expansion of trail systems throughout the region, including along the Mississippi River, Rock River, and Hennepin Canal, always pushing for connectivity on two wheels. Together, their efforts bolstered others to push for improvement of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. This is why the sculpture represents the entire cycling community, not just the honorees.
