volunteer
How to Volunteer with US
1. come by the shop
We welcome volunteers of any age, skill level, and background, and have lots of resources to help get you started! First, please drop in to a weekly Thursday Volunteer Night from 6 - 8 PM. You’ll get to see the shop, meet other volunteers in the program, and assist with a first task!
2. SET UP A VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Setting up a volunteer profile will help us get to know you a little better and get you plugged into the best fit based on your skillset!
3. SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT
Now that you have a profile you can sign up for any shift that matches your interests and availability. Come volunteer to make new friends, learn new skills, and make a huge difference in your community - all while having some fun doing it!
Our Biggest Volunteer Need
We are looking for extra VOLUNTEER MECHANIC help the entire month of May!
We are ending the month with a big kids bike sale May 24 and 25 to kick off summer vacation for the Boise School District. We sell kids bikes on a sliding scale where families choose the amount to pay based on what is meaningful to them and we are working with community partners to get vouchers for free bikes to families where further aid is needed.
If bike repairs are new to you, join us for a beginning mechanic shift on a Tuesday or at one of our Thursday volunteer night events. If you are already comfortable working on bikes sign up for a volunteer mechanic shift during our shop hours.
Every bike you help fix up before May 24 will help a child get the most out of their summer break!
types of volunteer positions
Beginning mechanic opportunities
We’re happy to teach mechanic skills to new volunteers! We host a small volunteer night every Tuesday from 6 - 8 PM in our shop.
During these nights, you’ll work in a group with 4 - 5 new mechanics where you can learn new skills like servicing a headset, bottom bracket, brakes, or shifting. Please sign up ahead of time to reserve a stand!
THURSDAY VOLUNTEER NIGHTS
Our most social volunteer opportunity is our weekly Thursday Volunteer Night from 6 - 8 PM.
This is a great shift for volunteers looking for a regular community meet-up to assist with the shop’s most pressing needs. This could look like setting up for a bike giveaway, preparing for a special event, or offering free repairs to kids in the community.
Our volunteers take on different projects every week, but since the shop is closed our staff can be more attentive. This is another great opportunity for new volunteers to get oriented in our programs and to practice new skills.
in-shop volunteer opportunities
People can volunteer in our shop during business hours in three ways.
Volunteer mechanics help refurbish bikes to give away with our programs. BBP donates ~1,500 bikes a year to adults & kids lacking transportation to school, work, etc.
Donation support volunteers assist in our warehouse as bikes are donated - helping to identify which bikes can be safely refurbished and recycling bike components from the ones that can’t be fixed. This is a good opportunity for those looking to build bike mechanic skills.
Shop-floor mechanics help on the main floor of the shop assisting with emergency repairs and other repairs as customers come in.
MOBILE FIX-IT REPAIRS
Volunteers and staff visit different schools, apartment complexes, or community centers every week to provide free bike repairs for kids. Most of these repairs are very simple and easy to learn on the spot- along the lines of adjusting brakes, shifting, or repairing a popped tube.
There’s almost nothing as immediately gratifying as teaching a kid how to fix their broken bike and seeing their excitement when they get to ride again!
Community Events
We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities, particularly at events we organize or participate in publicly. Whether it's tabling at breweries and beer festivals or supporting advocacy campaigns around town, we engage in a variety of events annually.
Volunteers can contribute in various ways, such as repairing bikes, distributing information about our programs, assisting with equipment transportation, setup, and more!
Out of School Kids Bike Sale
Summer is kicking off and we are hosting a HUGE sale to ensure kids are ready to roll in style to every swim hole, play date, and other bit of boisterous fun they are dreaming of.
Actually, what matters even more to us than style is ensuring that every child has access to a bike and the formative summer experiences that come from having the freedom a bike provides. So, we are hosting a sliding scale bike sale where families can come to our shop May 24 and May 25 for a pay what you can sale for kids sized bikes. We also have community partners handing out vouchers to families who need additional support so they can receive a bike for free.
“I strongly believe in what BBP is about and it feels good to be a part of the community.”
~ Eric Roth, Regular Volunteer Mechanic
