Open Shop

EMPOWERING YOU TO RIDE

Do you Need to fix a bike that you already have?
This program is for you:

Our community shop space is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm. This is a free service, yet donations are appreciated. We provide the tools, parts, and knowledge to help you work on your bicycle. Open Shop is all about teaching and assisting people with repair skills so they can fix their own bicycle. A mixture of staff and volunteers are available to assist you in diagnosing and fixing whatever may be ailing your two wheeled friend. Flat tires, wobbly wheels, squeaky brakes or loose headsets - we've got you covered. Stands and work space are available on a first come first serve basis. Open Shop is also a time when anyone can come volunteer and participate in Free Cycles fun. Since 1996, over 250,000 people have come through our doors.

Build-A-Bike

Bikes Built by you. For you.

Build-a-Bike is exactly what it sounds like. Using our massive amount of donated used parts and frames, you can build yourself a bike. This program helps you with every aspect of what it takes to build and maintain a bike, and how every piece of the bike works together. From the ground up, the only limit to your new bike is your imagination and the current supplies in the shop. After taking our BikeWell class and volunteering 1.5 hours of your time*, either a staff or volunteer will work with you and start helping you dream up your new ride. Build-A-Bike invites you to join the adventure of bringing a bike back to life, regardless of previous knowledge or experience. Over time, approximately 25,000 people have built free bikes through Free Cycles.

*The BikeWell class is offered on demand, and will last about 20 minutes. In the class we give you a tour of our space, review our community policies, and cover bicycle safety tips and tricks. For kids aged 10 & under no volunteer time or class is required. If you do not have time to volunteer, another option is taking our class and obtaining a Build-A-Bike for $30. We can still help you fix it.

The average length of time to fix and repair a build-a-bike into sound working order is about two hours. We have options that take less time, yet in general one hour is the shortest time period to get a bicycle running. We also have many bicycle options that can take 3 to 10 hours to fix…we will help you decide what option is right for you.

C.I.V.I.C. Cycles

Bikes built for you. by us.

Citizens In Vesting In Community (CIVIC) Cycles provides ready to-go, affordable, refurbished bicycles for the community to purchase. Prices of bicycles sold through CIVIC Cycles typically range from $50 to $300 dollars depending on the bicycle brand and quality of components.

Youth Cycles

Over the years Free Cycles has coordinated and facilitated over 220 outreach events with local schools and organizations. Since the beginning the program has engaged over 15,000 youth ages 18 and under with all things bicycles. Youth Cycles puts tools in kids' hands, sparks an interest in bikes, and emphasizes the world of helping others. The program currently serves approximately 800 youth each year. Currently kids ten and under can receive a free bicycle anytime our community shop is open, Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Youth ages 11 and older can earn a bicycle by taking a BikeWell class and volunteering 1.5 service hours at our shop. Please contact Emily at programs@strans.org if you are interested in setting up a field trip, class, or workshop under the Youth Cycles program.