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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 Colina for information about volunteering.
Click here to download a volunteer application!
Current Opportunities
Volunteer Repair Parties
Three times a week, Bike Works hosts drop-in bike repair parties for adults interested in helping us get bikes out of landfills and back on the road. (VRP)
During these sessions, we repair donated bikes that are re-donated to organizations like Treehouse, Farestart, and other local non-profits. VRP's also refurbish bicycles later distributed through our community bike shop and annual Kids Bike Swap.
Each VRP session has a slightly different focus:
Thursday VRP
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Staff: Partnerships & Volunteer Coordinator
This night is open to folks of all skill, experience and confidence levels, but this time is especially dedicated to newcomers. At this session, we also offer orientations to new volunteers.
Tuesday VRP
6:30 - 9:30pm
Staff: Lead Mechanic
This session is set aside for volunteers who have done work with us before and both have more advanced skills and are looking to work on more complex projects with a professional mechanic.
Sunday VRP
10am – 1pm
Staff: Adult Program teachers / Recycle & Reuse Warehouse Staff
This morning is for volunteers who are interested in not just wrenching on bikes but also in other projects within our organization. At this session, we also offer orientations to new volunteers.
We hope to see you at one of our volunteer sessions soon!
Event Volunteers
Bike Works has special events throughout the year including our Annual Benefit Auction, 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
Are you a data divinity? A filing fiend? We need you! Help us file, assemble mailings, reach out to our community and enter data. 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 9am-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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