Q & A
VOLUNTEERING
Q- I want to help, but I don’t know anything about bicycles, do you need people like me?
A- Absolutely, our mission is to educate. Most of our volunteers started out with little to no experience, and now they’re building bikes from the frame up.
Q- But what if I want to do something besides working on bikes?
A- You might not be an expert at building bikes, but maybe you’re great at something else. All skills are valued and needed. If you have an idea of something you can do, we need your help.
Q- What is Volunteer Orientation?
A- To create a safe an effective learning environment, BBP requires the public to attend a Volunteer Orientation before volunteering at BBP. Volunteer Orientation is an introduction to BBP, the shop, and the proper ways to use bicycle tools. It is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month at 11am. There is also a ladies only orientation on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6pm. Pre-registration for the Volunteer Orientation is required, so please come sign up at the shop, call or email ahead of time. It often fills up in advance, so sign up early or risk being disappointed on a Saturday morning.
Q- Do I need to make an appointment to volunteer?
A- Nope, just come down to the shop during any of our VOLUNTEER, or OPEN SHOP times, and a coordinator will get you started. You do need sign up for Volunteer Orientation. Sign up is at the shop. You do need to sign up in advance for BBP's Volunteer Orientation, however, and you can sign up at the shop."
BIKES AND PARTS
Q- I heard you give free bikes to everyone that wants one, when do I get my free bike.
A- BBP gives bicycles to kids for free if they are referred to us from another charitable organization (schools, churches, after school programs, social workers, etc). Adults can get a bicycle by paying (we have bicycles priced from $10-$1000), or we have an Earn-a-Bike program that makes it possible to volunteer time in exchange for a bicycle. This program encourages education and giving back to the community. Volunteer Orientation is required for Earn-a-Bike.
Q- I want to buy a bike and some parts from you, can I do that?
A- BBP operates like a regular bike shop, but instead of selling expensive new stuff, we sell cheap (but quality) used stuff. We’ve got 100s of bikes and just about any part you could possibly need to build your bike. Simply come to the shop during any of our OPEN SHOP times, find what you need, and speak to one of the coordinators to discuss a reasonable price.
Q- I need a carbon fiber fork and a new Shimano Ultrega crankset. How much would I need to donate?
A- We do have a lot quality parts, even some carbon fiber, but it’s almost all a little bit used and probably isn’t the same stuff that Lance Armstrong uses on his bike. If you need brand new stuff, you live in the right town cause Boise is blessed with a lot of great bike shops that would love to get you all dialed in. In the mean time we’ve got the next best option- affordable quality used parts that will keep you riding strong.
DONATIONS
Q- I have a bike to donate, but it needs a lot of work, do you still want it?
A- You bet, we take bicycles in all conditions. If they can’t be fixed or would be way to much work, we strip them down and use their parts to fix other bicycles.
Q- I’ve got $1,000,000 that I want to donate to BBP, can I get a tax write off for that?
A- Oh yah, we can give tax receipts for all types of donations.
GENERAL SHOP QUESTIONS
Q- How come BBP isn’t open all day every day?
A- BBP is largely volunteer run. Many of the coordinators have other full time jobs and generously donate their extra time to share their passion for cycling and the Boise community.
BBP is constantly expanding its volunteer and open shop hours, and with your help could be open even more.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
