MISSION
The goal of Free Cycles is to help Western Montana transition to a sustainable transportation system while simultaneously setting a strong example for other places. Free Cycles provides bicycles, parts, tools, work space, and help for a healthy community. Our programs focus on re-purposing unused bicycles to reduce pollution and increase freedom, empowerment and social change.
Staff
Bob Giordano, Executive Director
Bob Giordano, Executive Director and founder of Free Cycles and MIST, has been an active citizen of Missoula since 1994. Beginning his higher education at North Carolina State University with a Business Management major and Environmental Ethics minor, Bob was "always intrigued by the West." He soon discovered the Rocky Mountains, submerging himself in the rivers of Montana.
Bob received his Master's in Resource Conversation from the University of Montana in 2003, becoming passionate about social and environmental justice in the process. He likes to engage on these topics with individuals and groups through conversation, public presentations, and creative forms of communication.
After learning and teaching about bicycles, sustainable transportation and healthy city design for the past twenty-five years, Bob is striving to create a more sustainable way of life for people and our relationships with the Earth. Other passions include enjoying music around a fire, promoting clay, spending time with friends and family, carrying a wok on long-distance bike trips or spontaneously planning a next adventure.
Gabe Musson
Born and raised in Havre, MT. I attended MSU-Northern and received a Bachelors in Business Technology. From there I attended United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, Oregon. There I furthered my passion for bikes by learning the necessary mechanic skills for bicycles including suspension service and wheel building. I used my bike knowledge to keep my personal bikes, as well as family and friends, running smoothly. I have been married to my awesome wife Maddy for almost 12 years. In that time we have raised two great nephews named Cameron and Calvin and have had two children of our own named Carter and Cabot. Cycling is part of our lives. In 2019 I was able to serve Missoula as the city's bicycle ambassador during the warmer months. In that time is where I really got to know Free Cycles and their awesome mission and community forward thinking. I am honored to be part of this team and am excited to help serve the Missoula community.
Michael Antoci
I moved to Missoula in the Fall of 2016 to attend the University of Montana. I graduated in 2020, receiving a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Climate Change Studies. All throughout college I relied on public transportation and commuting by bicycle. During this time I became well acquainted with the community shop. Frequenting Free Cycles to fix up my 1970’s Peugeot road bike, I learned about bike maintenance and repair through many long days. Even more importantly, I developed a love for Free Cycles and saw how pivotal of a resource it is for Missoula. Through working one on one with the community I want to teach, inspire, and encourage all people to be more confident working on their own bikes as well as legitimatize using bicycles as a form of transportation, recreation, exercise, or just plain fun. I want to show people how building a bike can be an artistic expression as much as a practical expression. I want to show Missoula how we can improve existing infrastructure to be safer, more accessible, and more inviting to bike and other sustainable options.
Christian Mercado
Hi, I'm Christian and I'm passionate about cycling, sustainable transportation, and getting folks on bikes. After spending time in the woods as a professional Forester, and then receiving a Master's degree in Forestry, I decided that it was time to shift to work that is a bit more community driven. I spent years working on bikes as a hobby, so naturally Free Cycles was a step in that direction. It is my goal to help make working on bikes feel easy and welcoming by breaking down the concepts into bite size pieces, and I strive to do this in a way that is safe, compassionate, and fun. In my free time I like to bike, play bike polo, forage for mushrooms, play and make music, and enjoy the natural wonders that Northwest Montana has to offer.
Tyler Bogartz-Brown
Tyler fell in love with bikes the day the training wheels came off. Since then, he's fallen deeper into the world of cycling and sustainable transportation while investigating the connection between local food production, transportation, and community-led urban (re)design. With a background in Geography and Food Studies, Tyler believes bikes are a keystone solution improving sustainable transportation, redesigning public architecture, and create a safe and equitable environment for all people in our community. In his free time, you may find Tyler attending workshops with MUD, Western Montana Mycological Association, or other local organizations. Tyler also enjoys cooking, screen printing, and more!
Nick Cizek
Nick thought he knew why he loved bikes—the freedom, fresh air, solitude, and adventure. He can't recall a single time he regrets riding. Then he started working at Free Cycles and found a whole new side of cycling to love: helping others fall in love with their own bikes. He hopes you'll stop by the shop soon so he can share what he's learned about bike repair and maintenance—if he can do it, you can do it. And he's confident that if you start riding, many of your favorite moments will happen while on two wheels—just like they do for him.
VoLUNTEER NETWORK
The sheer amount of volunteers who are enthused to help both Free Cycles and MIST is outstanding. Thousands of hours a year are donated by people coming into the shop. The diversity of people willing to help in any way is heartwarming. There are certain folks who spend time regularly helping out, people who are trading work hours for bikes, students meeting class requirements, folks who have to complete community service, and sometimes people passing through on a bike tour stop and help.
Photography provided by Brenna Ellis & Locke Hassett
INTERNSHIPS
Free Cycles has facilitated around 100 interns over the years, with all sorts of skills and interests. Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing internship options.
Free Cycles attracts students from all fields. Previous interns have graduated from various departments such as Environmental Studies, Political Science, Geography, Social Work, Climate Change Studies, Wilderness and Civilization, and more.
Produced by a Climate Change Studies intern at the University of Montana.