freeride

One of our most popular programs is the Earn-A-Blke program. Through this program numerous people have rescued forgotten bicycles, given them some loving, and found them a new home. Earn-A-Bikers create a contract in which they will give back to Free Ride! for an agreed-upon value of the bike (usually $20 - $150, depending upon the quality of the bike). With the help of volunteer mechanics, they then repair their chosen bicycle, using the free access to shop parts and tools. The average earn-a-bike volunteers between 8 and 20 hours doing various tasks, such as stripping down old bikes, organizing parts, or cleaning the shop. Some people have also found creative ways to use skills such as carpentry, electrical, or photocopying to give back to the shop.

To enter the program, just come in to the shop during our open shop hours. Participants must either volunteer 3 hours or pay $15 as an entry fee. After this is completed, a bike can be selected and can start their contract. Once the volunteer hours are completed and the bike is fixed up and passes a basic safety exam, it can leave the shop and hit the streets.

By completing the Earn-A-Bike program people not only receive a spiffy bike but they also acquire the skills to keep that bike running and in good working condition. Through the Earn-A-Bike program we are trying to counteract consumer culture that teaches people to buy new things instead of repairing what they already have. We strive to show that broken, used bicycles, once destined for a landfill, can be salvaged and live an new life cruising the streets of Pittsburgh.

Youth Earn-a-Bike Program

Throughout the year we offer a youth education program in which participants take part in a series of classes where they learn basic bicycle repair and maintenance, environmental awareness, and a recycling ethic while fixing up a bike of their own to keep. To date we have worked with youth that are located in Free Ride's neighborhood. In the future we hope to also work with school classes, community groups, neighborhood associations. If you work with such a group and would like to work with Free Ride to set up a kid's Earn-a-Bike session for your group - or to find out more about how to sign up kids for Earn-a-Bike, please call, email, or stop in during open hours.



OUR MISSION Free Ride! is a non-profit recycle-a-bike shop that enables people of all ages to obtain, recycle, and maintain bicycles. Through educating people on how to recondition used, donated bicycles, we are putting forgotten bikes back on the streets in a reliable, safe condition. We aim to enhance the health of our community and environment by promoting active living and encouraging bicycle transportation. Free Ride! Inside Construction Junction 214 N. Lexington St. Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Directions 412.731.4094 freeride@bike-pgh.org Our Hours: -Tuesday 6:00pm - 10:00pm -Wednesday 2nd and 4th of every month (Women and Transgender Only) 6:00-10:00pm -Thursday 6:00pm - 10:00pm -Saturday 1:00prn - 5:00 pm Other stuff: Articles about Free Ride Projects, Experiments, Inventions, and Art Links to other relevant sites Make a donation with Paypal Free Ride! is a project of Bike Pittsburgh!-the city's only cycling safety, advocacy, and awareness organization.	One of our most popular programs is the Earn-A-Blke program. Through this program numerous people have rescued forgotten bicycles, given them some loving, and found them a new home. Earn-A-Bikers create a contract in which they will give back to Free Ride! for an agreed-upon value of the bike (usually $20 - $150, depending upon the quality of the bike). With the help of volunteer mechanics, they then repair their chosen bicycle, using the free access to shop parts and tools. The average earn-a-bike volunteers between 8 and 20 hours doing various tasks, such as stripping down old bikes, organizing parts, or cleaning the shop. Some people have also found creative ways to use skills such as carpentry, electrical, or photocopying to give back to the shop. To enter the program, just come in to the shop during our open shop hours. Participants must either volunteer 3 hours or pay $15 as an entry fee. After this is completed, a bike can be selected and can start their contract. Once the volunteer hours are completed and the bike is fixed up and passes a basic safety exam, it can leave the shop and hit the streets. By completing the Earn-A-Bike program people not only receive a spiffy bike but they also acquire the skills to keep that bike running and in good working condition. Through the Earn-A-Bike program we are trying to counteract consumer culture that teaches people to buy new things instead of repairing what they already have. We strive to show that broken, used bicycles, once destined for a landfill, can be salvaged and live an new life cruising the streets of Pittsburgh. Youth Earn-a-Bike Program Throughout the year we offer a youth education program in which participants take part in a series of classes where they learn basic bicycle repair and maintenance, environmental awareness, and a recycling ethic while fixing up a bike of their own to keep. To date we have worked with youth that are located in Free Ride's neighborhood. In the future we hope to also work with school classes, community groups, neighborhood associations. If you work with such a group and would like to work with Free Ride to set up a kid's Earn-a-Bike session for your group - or to find out more about how to sign up kids for Earn-a-Bike, please call, email, or stop in during open hours.