Working Bikes

Mission

Working Bikes rescues discard bicycles and gives them new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities.

Impact

Working Bikes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that gives donated bicycles new life by redistributing them as tools of empowerment in local and global communities. Countless bicycles are discarded or sit unused in storage across the United States every year. But a bicycle is a vital tool when put to use. Bicycles can provide access to jobs, education, medical attention, and other resources—truly changing the life of an individual, their family, and their community. Since its founding in 1999, Working Bikes has recovered tens of thousands of discarded and donated bicycles from Chicago and the Midwest, and has redistributed more than 50,000 of them worldwide. Twenty years into its efforts, Working Bikes is more impactful than ever and excited to continue to grow its impact.

Global Impact: Working Bikes ships thousands of bicycles each year to our partners in countries throughout Latin America and Africa, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Uganda, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Ghana.

Local Impact: Working Bikes has two Chicago-focused programs. The Cycle of Power program provides bikes, locks, and helmets to adults in need of sustainable transportation. The Cycle of Peace program serves youth by providing bikes to young people and organizations serving young people, and through our own youth outreach, volunteer opportunities, and apprenticeship programs. Organizations of all sizes partner with Working Bikes to offer their clients access to bicycles, including organizations addressing homeless transition, refugee resettlement, veteran support, community health, youth empowerment, and government institutions.

History

Working Bikes was founded in 1999 by a group of volunteers dedicated to recycling bikes, supporting bike culture, and helping international and local projects. Since its inception, Working Bikes has recovered tens of thousands of discarded and donated bicycles from Chicago and the Midwest, and has redistributed more than 38,000 of them worldwide.