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Bike Works is an innovative organization centered around bicycles that combines youth development, community engagement, bicycle recycling and a social enterprise bike shop to help build a sustainable and healthy community.
THE NEED
Located in the heart of Columbia City, Bike Works provides programs and resources to a richly diverse neighborhood that, compared with Seattle as a whole, has high rates of poverty and poor community health indicators: 30% of Columbia City residents live below the poverty line, and King County Public Health data shows 20% of SE Seattle residents report no physical activity and 57% are overweight or obese. SE Seattle residents experience higher rates of diabetes and asthma than any other King County community. In addition, this area is home to some of the lowest performing schools in the county.
HOW BIKE WORKS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Youth Development
We empower youth to lead healthy and productive lives. Our programs introduce youth to the joy and freedom of bicycle riding, and provide opportunities for them to get out and explore their world by bicycle. In our classroom and out in the field our youth participants build confidence, critical thinking and life skills. They also learn what it means to give back. As they log community service hours in order to earn their own bicycle, our youth discover they have valuable skills to offer others in need. Learn more about our Youth Programs.
Community Engagement
From adult classes to volunteer opportunities to community events, Bike Works runs a series of community programs designed to engage the people in our neighborhood and promote bicycling. With the thousands of hours of volunteer help from our youth mechanics and community members, Bike Works also donates recycled bicycles to community-based organizations that serve homeless and disadvantaged populations. We also donate bicycles to communities abroad. Learn more about our Community Programs.
Bicycle Recycling & Reuse
All of our programs are run using bikes donated to us by the community. We view each and every bicycle donated, refurbished, and recycled back into the community as one less bike in the landfill, and hopefully one less car on the road. Learn more about our Recycle & Reuse Program.
Non-Profit Community Bike Shop
Bike Works aims to make bicycling accessible and affordable to people from all walks of life. Our bike shop sells affordable recycled bicycles to the greater Seattle community while generating revenue to run our youth programs, and helps further our mission to get more people riding bikes. Learn more about our Bike Shop.
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