RECYCLE-a-Bicycle

Putting bikes back on the street where they belong.

Since January 06' Bike Bakersfield has repaired and donated over 100 bicycles for Bakersfield Residents. The goal of the program is to provide bicycles for individuals who are interested in building their own bike and willing to learn how to build and maintain a bicycle. Recipients put in 10 hours of volunteer work before receiving their bicycle.

Need some spare parts for your bike?
The Bike Kitchen is full of random parts: bottom brackets, hubs, tubes, tires and more. Come by Bike Bakersfield to check out what we have. Parts are sold or exchanged for volunteer hours. Contact Larry Lara for more information.

Don't have the right tool for the job?
Bike Bakersfield's bike kitchen has most of the tools you need for basic bike mechanics. Don't mess your bike up by using the wrong tools. Come by the bike kitchen from Wed. to Sat. from the hours of 10am - 2pm. Contact Larry Lara for more information.

Where do you get your bikes?
Bike Bakersfield takes in donations from Bakersfield residents and bike shops (Snider's Cyclery has been especially generous with old parts and we would like to thank them for all of their support), San Louis Obispo Police Department as donated over 40 bikes to the cause.The bikes are then restored and put back onto the street where they belong.

What if I want to buy a bike?
If you'd rather buy a bike that our volunteers have built during their 10 hours of service: you can make a donation to Bike Bakersfield for the bike. The money you donate goes back to the program and helps keep it running. We have a wide variety of bikes (all affordable) and your suggested donation depends upon the bike.

How do I go about donating a bike/bike parts?
If you'd like to donate a bike, or bike parts, drop them off at our office, 1708 Chester Ave. from Wed. to Sat. between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Bike donations are valued at a $40 tax write off (with exceptions on high end bikes) and parts will be valued by Bike Bakersfield staff.

Who oversees the building of the bikes?
Joe O'Grady oversees bike building. Joe is an experienced mechanic. Bike Bakersfield also has several volunteers in the Bike Kitchen (Bike Shop) who show up to lend their expertise: Nathan, Dave, Lois, Mat (staff), among others.

What's so great about this program?
Those who receive bikes from the program are in need of transportation, something so fundamental that it is often taken for granted. Each bike represents power and freedom from relying on public transportation or having to walk all over Bakersfield to get to one's destination. Recipients use these bikes to get to work, find work, run errands, and more. There is also a feeling of fulfillment after having built one's bike. Working on a bike can be a very relaxing and therapeutic exercise.

Another benefit of the program is that we are putting more bikes on the roads which creates an awareness that there are people who are riding bikes instead of driving cars in Bakersfield. This is good for the air and good for bicycling.

I really like this program but I don't need a bike - can I donate money to the cause?
Of course! If you'd like to help keep the program going you can mail a check to: Bike Bakersfield, 1708 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA, 93301. All donations are tax deductible. Please write "RECYCLE-a-Bicycle" in the memo field of the check and your entire contribution will go towards the program.

All right, I'm sold, how can I sign up for the program?
If you'd like to get started on building your bike simply show to our office anytime between Wed. and Sat. from the hours of 10am - 2pm. After you sign up for the program you'll immediately begin building your bike.

Click below to view some of our past recipients and volunteers: