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Get Involved
VOLUNTEERING
Thank you for considering getting more engaged by contributing your time, skills and energy to Bike Works! We have lots of ways to put creativity, energy and passion to work. Our volunteer community makes the work we do possible, and volunteers help with everything that we get up to. From individual efforts to large group projects, there is a volunteer opportunity for everybody. You don't need to be a skilled bike mechanic to help out. There are volunteer jobs available for all skill levels and interests.
Please contact Davey Oil,
Adult Programs & Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteers@bikeworks.org (206) 725.9408, ext. 1 for information about volunteering.
Click here to download a volunteer application!
Current Opportunities
Volunteer Repair Parties
Twice a week, Bike Works hosts a drop-in bike repair party open to folks of all skill, experience and confidence levels! Beginners and experienced mechanics alike are all invited to participate. Come on down and wrench with us, drink with us and snack with us. The bikes we repair during these sessions are donated to Treehouse, Farestart, other local non-profits, and our annual Kid’s Bike Swap. The volunteer repair party is an opportunity for adults to practice bike repair in a safe, non-judgmental environment free of charge and support Bike Works at the same time! Volunteer Repair Parties are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and Sunday mornings from 10am to 1pm. Our new Tuesday volunteer event is bilingual--Spanish speakers are welcome!
Event Volunteers
Bike Works has many special events throughout the year including our Annual Benefit Auction, bicycle scavenger hunts, century rides, valet bike parking corrals, and general outreach. Event volunteers help represent Bike Works to the community through greeting guests, preparing materials, and helping the logistics of the day, and clean-up. Volunteers are called upon as needed.
Administrative & Fund Development Volunteers
Main volunteer functions include filing, assembling mailings, supporting community outreach and data entry. Other duties may include creating and packaging marketing materials, acknowledging donors, event planning, and organizing in-kind donations. The commitment is for up to 4 hours per week during the time frame of 8am - 4pm, Monday through Friday.
Bike Collection Volunteers
Building a bike collection event is an easy and significant way to contribute to Bike Works efforts to redistribute bikes throughout Seattle and to communities abroad. Give us a call or shoot us an email to learn more about how to mobilize your school, neighborhood or workplace to collect donated bicycles for our innovative programs.
Featured Volunteer
 Last year, when Jennifer’s friend gave her an old bike, she took it as a sign. She wanted to start cycling, but riding in traffic intimidated her. She decided to seek out other cyclists and learn more about bikes, which led her to Bike Works. Our youth programs reminded her of the freedom biking gave her as a child—“My bike made my world so much bigger”—and Jennifer started volunteering. She was anxious about coming to our weekly Volunteer Repair Parties; what if she didn’t know enough? Finally, she took the chance and came. Jennifer says that learning bike repair at Bike Works has been different from other learning environments because everyone is so open to helping her build skills.
Next, Jennifer took the Adult Basic Class to fill some gaps in her knowledge, taking advantage of our work trade option for a reduced enrollment fee. Now on Thursdays, it is Jennifer who is the helpful, friendly mentor. When she was ready to build her confidence around riding in traffic, Jennifer knew where to come. She donated the free bike to Bike Works and bought a beautiful black mixte that fits her. “I love this bike,” she shared. “When I’m on it, I feel like a rocket!” Now when she hits the road, Jennifer feels a mixture of fear and excitement. “But not JUST fear,” she jokes. She even rides across town to Bike Works! Through our Adult & Volunteer programs, Bike Works builds community while providing the opportunity for adults to support our youth programs and learn bicycle repair in a safe and nonjudgmental environment.
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