| Website | http://www.rcommunitybikes.net/ |
|---|---|
| info@rcommunitybikes.net | |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Location | Rochester, New York, United States |
| Language | |
| Services Offered |
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| Mission Statement | R Community Bikes is an organization in Rochester, New York, that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to Rochester, NY's most needy children and adults. Our mission is meeting the basic transportation needs of those in the community who depend on bikes for recreation as well as for transport to work, school, rehabilitation programs, and training sessions. |
R Community Bikes is a grassroots, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 organization that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to the Rochester, NY area's most needy children and adults. Our mission is meeting the basic transportation needs of those in the community who depend on bikes for recreation as well as for transport to work, school, rehabilitation programs, and training sessions. For this segment of the population, both quality of life and the ability to participate in our community are greatly enhanced when our mission is achieved. R Community Bikes also provides a venue for the Rochester bicycling community to conduct educational programs relative to bicycle safety and maintenance.
We are open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at our warehouse at 226 Hudson Ave. (at the intersection with Woodbury Street). Bike give-aways take place only on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the warehouse beginning at 9:30 AM. In addition, we perform bike repairs, free of charge, daily at the shop, and in the summer at four off-site locations.
We welcome donations of bikes, bike parts, tools and money to cover expenses such as spare parts. We are always in need of volunteers to serve as mechanics and a variety of other positions. We provide the necessary training.
Contents
- 1 Contact Info
- 2 History
- 2.1 Significant Events
- 2.2 Awards received by R Community Bikes and its Founders
- 2.3 Some Statistics
- 3 Services Offered
Contact Info
The address and phone number for the shop is as follows:
226 Hudson Ave
Rochester, NY
(585) 234-2008
You may send mail to:
R Community Bikes
P.O. Box 26471
Rochester, NY 14626
You may send email to rcombikes@yahoo.com.
You can also find R Community Bikes on Facebook
History
Significant Events
| Spring 2001 | Bill D’anza, recently retired mental health administrator and recreational cyclist, helps a person with a flat tire while volunteering at St Joe’s House of Hospitality. In the weeks to come, more bicycles in need of repair show up. Dan Lill, recently retired teacher at Rochester School for the Deaf and volunteer at St Joe’s, joins Bill in conducting bicycle repairs for those in need. |
| 2001 to 2004 | Repair clinics are held in the parking lot of the shelter with some tools and a bike stand. More volunteers gather. Used bicycles are donated to the cause for parts. Some used bicycles are rehabilitated by volunteers for clients of the shelter without transportation. Eventually, the group of volunteers partners with an organization with shop space at 226 Hudson Avenue. |
| 2005 | The partner organization leaves the space at 226 Hudson Avenue and the group of volunteers begins to rent the space directly. |
| 2008 | The group of volunteers incorporates as a 501c3 charitable non-profit organization under the name R Community Bikes, Inc. |
| 2010 | A 14’ trailer is donated to serve as a mobile repair station and transportation for collected bikes. In the summer, the trailer is used to conduct repairs at the Westside Farmers’ Market. |
| 2011 | R Community Bikes, Inc. purchases 226 Hudson Avenue and renovates it to serve their needs better as a shop and storage facility. |
Awards received by R Community Bikes and its Founders
| Fall 2010 | Bronze award as a Bike Friendly Business from The League of American Bicyclists |
| 2011 | Certificate of Recognition for 10 years of service from the Monroe County Legislature |
| October 2012 | Finalist for the Farash Prize for Social Entrepreneurship from the Farash Foundation |
| 2013 | Thomas Richards Peacemaker Award |
| June 2013 | E-chievement award from the eTown radio show |
| April 2014 | Community Health Award from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| August 2014 | Healthy Lifestyle Award from Conkey Cruisers |
Some Statistics
| Year | Giveaway Bikes | Repairs | Volunteer Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 586 | [1] | 5295 |
| 2009 | 1323 | [1] | 7849 |
| 2010 | 2434 | [1] | 14717 |
| 2011 | 2662 | 3048 | 14693 |
| 2012 | 2703 | ~3300 | ~13600 |
| 2013 | 2487 | 3835 | 14245 |
| 2014 | 2601 | 3905 | 15552 |
| 2015 | ~2600 | ~4200 | ~17000 |
| [1] Number unknown | |||
Services Offered
| Bike Giveaway | Biweekly giveaway of refurbished used bicycles at the shop to those in need who can provide a referral from a social service agency or similar organization and a lock or money for a simple lock. |
| Free Repair Services | Repairs are conducted at the main shop on giveaway days during the warmer months and any day during the winter. During the warmer months, repairs are also conducted, often out of a trailer, at various off-site locations, each a different day of the week. Bikes are repaired by volunteer mechanics on a first come, first served basis and with emphasis on functionality and utility. |
| Training Workshops and Apprenticing | Periodic Sunday training sessions are held for those interested in working on bikes, to familiarize new volunteers with a basic list of components and the shop. After training, new volunteers are placed alongside more seasoned mechanics to receive guidance from and ask questions of. |
| Used Bikes to Purchase | Refurbished brand name bikes for sale during shop hours, with prices starting at $100. Proceeds go to pay for shop expenses. |
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