Program areas at Bike Works Seattle
Bicycle recycle & reuse program - our bicycle recycle & reuse program provides a means for unwanted bikes to be donated, refurbished by volunteers and program participants, and turned into affordable, carbon-free transportation. We process 8,000 donated bicycles every year and strip the unusable bikes for parts before sending the remainder to be responsibly recycled through partnerships. We give our volunteers meaningful opportunities to make a tangible difference, while increasing their knowledge of bicycle maintenance and riding. Bike Works brings together diverse groups in a collaborative environment. We divert 250,000 pounds of waste from landfills annually, and provided transportation through bicycle giveaways to those who can't afford to buy one in our community Bike shop.
Adult & community programs - Bike Works' community programs reduce the barriers to bicycling due to cost, lack of knowledge and lack of neighborhood resources. Through these programs, Bike Works serves more than 1,000 people annually and include: 1) bikes-for-all! Bike giveaways, giving youth and adults access to bikes, helmets, lights, and locks who can't afford to buy them ; 2) the bikemobile, our mobile Bike repair shop, visits neighborhoods where people don't have access to Bike repair and cycling education services; 3) all-ages community rides, bringing people together to have fun, ride safely, and raise money to support bipoc-led organizations in our community.
Youth programs - through bicycle riding and mechanics, we provide opportunities for youth to build self-confidence and transferrable skills, explore the world, give back to their community, and be physically active. Bike Works programs are rooted in the belief that young people thrive when they are valued, value themselves, and feel a sense of belonging. Our youth programs include: 1) earn-a-bike (eab) programs and drop-in community service hours; 2) partnerships with schools and community organizations to reach youth where they are with a focus on bipoc youth; 3) the job skills training for young people aged 15 24 with limited resources. Participants are learning hard and soft skills and are encouraged to apply for paid apprenticeships at Bike Works; 4) bicycle camps and clubs allow youth to be active and explore their world by bicycle.
Social enterprise community Bike shop - the Bike Works bicycle shop is an earned revenue stream for Bike Works, committed to serving Seattle with affordable bicycle sales and professional service in a welcoming, inclusive environment. We're a full-service repair shop that also sells quality used bikes and a full range of new and used Bike parts and accessories. All the profits from the Bike shop go to support our free- and sliding-scale programs.