Neighborhood Bike Works - Activities

Activities

NBW runs Earn-a-Bike classes for youth on bike repair and bike safety after school, on weekends, and in the summer. Students complete an eight-week basic bicycle repair class, fixing up used bikes donated by the community. Upon completion, they earn this bike for themselves, together with a helmet and lock. The program features mentoring and positive role models.

Many past youth participants have remained involved in the program, improving their skills while earning credits used to buy parts and accessories. Other programs for youth include summer camps, a youth cycling team that participates in cycling races, leadership development, academic support and tutoring, mountain biking training, and a yearly charity bike build.

At the University City location, NBW also operates a community bicycle co-op that offers local residents the opportunity to repair their own bikes without charge, as well as adult bicycle repair classes. The shop in North Philadelphia is a fully functioning retail bike shop specializing in used bicycles and bike repair.

At The Bikery shop in South Philly, community members can drop by during Open Shop hours to fix their bikes, or come during the 'Bike Cafe' to relax and learn about bikes and cycling. As a member of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens Arts on South, the South Philly shop embraces alternative uses for bikes and cycling. They host an artist-in-residence, using the space as both workspace and gallery, participate in South Street's Fourth Fridays and are partnered with Gearing Up and Spokes people to teach business skills to women in transition by making bike part jewelry.

Every year since 2003, NBW has held an annual Bike Part Art Show, which allows local artists to make artwork from old bike parts or celebrating bike culture. Art is also sold in a silent auction as a fundraiser for NBW youth programs.

Read more about this topic:  Neighborhood Bike Works

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