Walking around Patchwork on days when the Bike Shop volunteers are here working, I can easily spot the folks who are having their bikes repaired. They’re the people headed down the hall toward the Bike Shop with a smile on their faces and a little extra lightness in their step. I can tell that in a world of cares, at least one thing is getting put right for them.
For the folks our Bike Shop serves, their bikes are their primary transportation. The bikes allow their riders to get to work or appointments in places across town that are too far to walk or are too far from the bus routes. And just as not everyone who drives a car is a car mechanic, not everyone who rides a bike is a bike mechanic. Brakes fail. Petals and seats come off. Tubes are punctured.
From 9 am to 10 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays when our Bike Shop volunteers are available, if someone stops by with a bike that needs work, someone will take a look at it and make repairs if they are able. If the bike is in too bad of shape or if someone has had their bike stolen, then there are our Bike Giveaway Days. On a set day every month or two and on a first-come, first-served basis, people who need bikes can choose a new one from among the options we have in stock. All of our giveaway bikes have been donated to Patchwork and refurbished by our bike shop volunteers.
We are incredibly grateful for our team of Bike Shop volunteers who make this all possible. The team is headed up by Pete with support from Paul, Paul, and Jeff.
Our most recent bike distribution day was on July 18. We gave away 24 bikes to new owners—everything we had in stock. For the first time ever, we had to turn quite a few folks away because we ran out. Still, the day was a very positive one.
Our next bike giveaway will be on August 29 starting around 8:30 am. All someone needs to do to get a bike is to be here early and get in line. Before the 29th, our bike shop volunteers will be hard at work refurbishing bike donations so we’ll have plenty in stock.
If you have a bike you would like to donate, we can accept them at Patchwork (100 Washington Ave) during our open hours Monday-Thursday, 9 am-noon. We primarily need bikes sized for adults. We also ask that the bikes be in decent shape (no “parts” bikes).