Earn-a-Bike Program Summary

Cost vs. Value:

Any bike you choose here will cost you $0, regardless of its assigned 'value' or commercial sale price. Each bike's 'value' is based solely on estimated repair time; so your repairs should return it to full value. Expect to spend at least 8-hours of total work time here, first earning it, and then repairing it.

Choosing:

Ask a volunteer to help you pick an appropriate bike, determine its 'value', tag it, and set it aside. All bikes in the shelter area are available for you to choose from; however, Bikes which require more repair will receive a lower 'value' estimate, and thus allow you to start on them sooner.

Earning:

To earn a bike, you must first contribute time ('value'=hours) back to the shop; then you can work on your bike. See the board daily, for posted tasks, and find something appropriate to your knowledge level. Make sure your work time is logged/approved at the end of each day.

Repairing:

Once repair is started, you are free to use any of the parts and tools we have available inside. Volunteers can show/teach you what you need, but will not do the work for you. Again, make sure your work time is logged at the end of each day, so we know you are making progress. Please keep your project active; if we do not see you for over 2-weeks, you may loose it (and your earnings).

Check-out:

When you're done, a mechanic can safety-check your bike for you, but ultimately, you built it, and you are ultimately responsible for the final product. Also, be sure to ask us about lights, locks, and helmets; we may be able to provide you with them based on our supply.

Questions:

See the FAQ