A young cyclist dressed as a banana has become a local celebrity in Linton, Indiana, where residents wave, honk and sometimes dress up as “Banana Man.” The character began as a joke, but its creator told CBS News that making people smile has encouraged him to keep riding.
Videos of the costumed rider began circulating on social media a few months before the report. The young person, described by CBS as around middle-school age, pedals around town and has kept their identity private. CBS disguised the rider’s voice during its interview.
“My mom bought a banana costume from Goodwill, and I put it on and rode my bike as a joke,” Banana Man said. “And I saw that it made a lot of people smile, and I like making people smile.”
A local character takes hold
The rider said they had dreamed of being a superhero when younger, but did not expect to become a banana. Linton residents have since welcomed the character: some wore banana costumes for Halloween, a local girls’ cross-country team held a run in his honor, and Banana Man T-shirts have appeared around town.
Banana Man also hands out autographed cards, which residents have begun collecting. One resident told CBS that people honk, shout and wave when they spot him.
“Yeah, feels good. I feel proud,” Banana Man said, adding that he plans to continue what he has been doing.
Reid Bentley