The Bike Shop runs innovative youth programs and promotes recycled bicycles as an affordable means of transportation in the Third Ward by offering below-cost bike repair facilities, after school and summer activities for kids, and bike related events. Our youth and adult programs focus on hands-on self-directed education as a path to self-empowerment.

During Open Shop residents of Third Ward fix their own bikes with help from trained volunteer mechanics and all the tools of a professional bike shop. During Open Shop participants can buy or earn used parts for their bikes. This program significantly lessens the cost of maintaining a bike by eliminating service fees and by providing inexpensive used parts.

During Earn-A-Bike participants can get a bike through a work exchange that benefits themselves, the Bike Center, and the community. To earn a bike, participants must salvage working parts from an unusable bike and wheel, learn to patch a tube, and then fix a bike that is donated to a local charity. They then choose a bike to repair for themselves. EAB is open to participants age 7 and above. Adults who can afford it are asked to make a $35 contribution to the Bike Shop to participate in Earn-a-Bike.

Bike rides are held during school breaks and the summer and are open to students of all ages. In the past rides have gone to parks for cookouts and games, local museums, college campuses, pools, ice cream shops downtown and more.