Nick Kubasti came to Bike Works as a 13 year old looking for a summer bike trip to go on. That year our Bike Touring 101 summer camp took us to the San Juan Islands and Nick and eight other youth rode from island to island sharing stories and learning about the world around them and how to bike tour. Nick barely spoke the first few days but came into his own by the end of the camp, exhibiting an intelligence and sense of humor that showed he belonged at Bike Works and was going to fit in well here. After moving through the earn-a-bike class levels, going on longer tours (including the Olympic Loop, several Leadership trips, and the Oregon Coast), helping to instruct younger youth in bike touring camps, teaching our Earn-a-Bike classes and overall becoming a top tier Bicycle Leader – Nick was asked to join our Board of Directors as the Youth Representative. He has served on our Board for the last year while finishing high school at Garfield and next year Nick starts college back east in Boston and will be taking all he has learned here and head into the "real world". We are incredibly proud of Nick, of how he has grown as a person over the years, and are super appreciative for all of the time and work he has given us here at the BW. We wish him the best as he heads east and away. And remember you don't ever really leave Bike Works, so stay in touch and return west as soon as possible!
Our youth programs offer an innovative combination of education, bicycle repair and ownership, outdoor activities, and community service.
OUR PROGRAMS
We’ve Moved!!
3715 S Hudson St #B01 Seattle, WA 98118
Our classroom, as well as our Program Staff and Administrative offices, have moved to the lower level of the Hudson Building, just one block south of our current space. But don’t worry; our bike shop will still be in the Yellow House at 3709 S Ferdinand St. Please take a look at the map above to see both of our locations and orient yourself to the growing campus here at Bike Works!
*The entrance to the new classroom is down the ramp to the right of the Hudson Building and around the corner!
Earn-A-Bike
Learn how to fix bikes! During this 8-week program you can practice your skills on bikes we repair and give back to the community. When you have worked 18 hours of community service on the bikes we donate, you can pick out and fix up your own bike, bike parts, or accessories! Every class graduate can continue to attend weekly drop-in Earn-a-Bike hours, practice their skills and earn community service hours until they turn 18.
For more info and upcoming classes: Earn-A-Bike Classes.
Earn-A-Bike Drop-In Community Service
Earn-A-Bike Drop-In, open to graduates of our Earn-A-Bike class, empowers you to contribute to your community by refurbishing bicycles for people in need! As in Earn-A-Bike, you are rewarded for your hard work by earning bikes and parts as you log more hours. Each year our youth give 2,000 community service hours and repair over 150 bicycles for donation to youth in the community who cannot afford a bike. For more info: Earn-A-Bike Drop-In.
Bicycle Riding Opportunities
Once you've been through one of our entry programs, like Earn-A-Bike or a summer camp, you can go on bike rides with us and explore your world by bicycle. We have a number of riding opportunities at Bike Works including our Street Burners Rides Club! For more info: Riding Opportunities.
Summer Camps & Tours
Making plans for the summer? Join the Bike Works crew in our variety of summer camps and we are sure you'll find one that suits you. We offer riding camps, bike touring camps, repair camps and day bike camps. Get out of town in one of our bike touring camps! Learn how to support yourself through your own pedal power while exploring the State of Washington. All bike touring camps are age-specific and our progression of bike touring options from beginning to advanced will fit every need - we're sure you'll have a great time riding with us and making new friends! For more info and upcoming camps: Summer Camps & Tours.
UGottaGetABike
The goal of UGottaGetABike is getting more low-income youth in Southeast Seattle access to, and riding on, bicycles. UGottaGetABike programs are hosted at local schools and community centers. The only requirements for participation are that students do not already have a bicycle and qualify for the free or reduced lunch program at their school. After completing the safety skills class and rodeo, students get to ride away with a free bicycle and helmet! These bikes have previously been donated to Bike Works from the community and then fixed up by students in our Earn-A-Bike classes. For more info: UGottaGetABike.
Bicycle Leaders Program
There are ample opportunities available once you've graduated from the Earn-a-Bike classes. Take an Advanced Mechanics Class (once you've turned 14) and join our Bicycle Leaders program where you can earn extra hours by mentoring your peers, teaching others, and taking on more advanced work projects. Older youth can also work to become a ride leader apprentice on our summer camps or a bicycle mechanic apprentice in the Bike Works shop!
For more info: Bicycle Leaders Program.
Partnership Programs
We offer custom courses for local schools and other community-based organizations. A few of the options include single-day bicycle repair classes, multi-day training rides, after-school programs, and up to eight-week courses to get a bike or simply learn bike repair. More info: Partnership Programs.
