Neighborhood Bike Works

Got a no-longer-wanted child's or adult bicycle (or two or three) in your basement that someone could ride if the bike was rehabbed? How about no longer needed but workable tools or other useful bike repair stuff, including clean cleaning rags?

DVBC wants to start a collection drive in spring 2007 to benefit Neighborhood Bike Works in West Philadelphia, a fine Delaware Valley organization that teaches kids to repair and rehab and thereby own their bike. The organization has a great track record and has made alliances with local schools in Philadelphia . They also teach the kids bike safety, supply them with helmets, etc. They are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit educational organization registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

How do we start? At this point, we ask: 1) Can you contribute? What and how much? When would it be ready? and 2) Is anyone interested in helping Peter Schmidt collect donations?

At this point we don't know whether our donations will amount to ~5 bikes and other odds and ends, or so much that we'll have to borrow or rent a truck. Any suggestions about a site we could use as a drop-off and load-up location, if that becomes necessary? Neighborhood Bike Works also accepts cash donations if you'd prefer giving that way rather than parting with your beloved Motobecane or Schwinn. And I suppose I should not end before pointing out the obvious: you can only donate bikes that will be safe when rehabbed; do NOT donate bikes with broken or severely rusted frames.

Want to know more about Neighborhood Bike Works, including the kind of donations they are looking for and what they do with it?

Their website is http://neighborhoodbikeworks.org

Please email Peter Schmidt at pschmid1@swarthmore.edu ; include your name, email, phone, and any other useful contact info.

The Neighborhood Bike Works is a nonprofit educational organization in West Philadelphia that seeks to increase opportunities for urban youth through bicycling.

ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE WORKS

Neighborhood Bike Works is a youth development organization in West Philadelphia serving neighborhood youth from 8 to 18. Our main shop is at St. Mary's Church, 40th and Locust Walk, on the University of Pennsylvania campus, our Haddington neighborhood shop is at 60th and Vine. Since 1996 we have offered classes on bike repair and bike safety after school, on weekends, and in the summer. By completing a series of classes and fixing up used bikes donated by the community, students can earn a bike for themselves and a helmet and lock. In addition to providing a positive activity for young people, we introduce them to the fun, the health benefits, and the freedom that come with cycling in the city.

NBW's strengths lie in our ties to individuals and organizations devoted to cycling, the neighborhood, and youth development. Close ties to individuals are fostered through regular communication—including phone, email, letter, and an "open door" policy that welcomes folks to simply drop by, as well as worthwhile opportunities and strong incentives for volunteers.

We encourage program graduates and parents to work or volunteer in leadership positions. Our graduates continue to participate through drop-in repair sessions, by coming along on rides, by helping with other community events, and by taking advanced classes. Some become youth assistants and help with the basic classes. Many parents and teachers report that participation with Bike Works has had a positive influence on other aspects of student's behavior.

We provide services to the community as a whole in the form of bike safety checks at block parties and other events, valet bike parking at events such as the First Union Bike race or the X-Games, and through our adult programs which include the “Bike Church” adult bike repair sessions and adult classes in bike repair and urban riding skills. Many of these community programs provide a positive way for our youth to give back to the community.

We have worked with a number of other groups including the Philadelphia Housing Authority, The William Penn Foundation's Youth Opportunity Initiative, and the school district's Gear_Up for college program, among others.

The Neighborhood Bike Works is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit educational organization registered with the Pennsylvania Dept. of State. NBW started in 1996 as Youth Cycle & Recycle, a program of The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia . We organized as a separate non-profit in July 1999.

DONATIONS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY HELPFUL

Aside from money, bikes and bike-related stuff (everything from parts to cleaning rags) are very welcome. For example:

•  BMX ("trick") style bikes. These are most popular with our students.

•  Road bikes, mountain bikes, and cruisers of all sizes.

•  Classic bikes. Bring on the banana seats, the rod brakes, the vintage track bikes. We'll find someone to love it like it deserves to be loved.

•  Parts, tools, grease, and rags! Things get used up pretty quickly, and we always need more.

•  Wind trainers, rollers, etc

• Office supplies and snacks including: pens, pencils, stamps, copy paper, water, gift certificates to local food stores, and non-perishable foods like dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, etc. We can also always use volunteers and money!

ACHIEVEMENTS

Since 1999, over 800 students (250 in the past year!) have earned at least 1000 bicycles .

NBW supporters have donated more than 5000 bikes — that's 100 tons of useful stuff saved from local landfills.

Approximately 2000 helmets have been distributed to Philadelphia 's young people (not just NBW students).

Partners including the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , the Haddington Community Collaborative and the Haddington Youth Development Initiative , the Philadelphia School District , local Boy and Girl Scout Councils , and many more help NBW reach new students year after year.

NBW teaches at two of our own shops and for public schools , and has worked with three other schools.

NBW has held three Art Shows , four Summer Camps , five Major Taylor Rides , over 100 each public bike safety checks , bike rides with graduates and families, and Earn a Bike graduations .

Other annual events include the city-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Spiral Q's PeopleHood Parade, and the Haddington Neighborhood Block Party.

Favorite fields trips have included the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo, The Amistad tall ship, the East Africa Museum , and the Lehigh Valley Velodrome.

Since the advent of NBW's valet bike parking program , students have provided secure parking for Bicycle Coalition events, Philly's USPRO bike race, the Bike in Film Festival, Wharton Business School, and the X Games.

NBW has been helping youth develop job skills since 1999. Several have found summer jobs at local bike shops. In the past year alone, 30 students have participated in four YouthWorks programs , twelve staffed bike parking, six are participating in entrepreneurial activities , and two receive stipends as assistant instructors.

Neighborhood Bike Works
3916 Locust Walk
Philadelphia , PA 19104
215 - 386 – 0316