If all your point is readability, I'd suggest to take 2 variables -
query_statement = "LOWER(id) LIKE ? OR " + "LOWER(name) LIKE ? " query_variables = s,s
and then use these two variables in the actual query :
u = User.where("#{query_statement}, #{query_variables}")
Hope this helps !!
If you find some better option, Do post here! Thanks !