Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop

Mission

Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop has been "keeping people and bikes moving" as a nonprofit since 2002. We envision a Snohomish County where anyone can ride, fix or recycle a bicycle.

Description

At Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, we believe that bikes are a key to building health, resiliency, sustainability and kindness in our community. We would like Snohomish County to be a place where people of all ages and incomes can have easy and affordable access to safe bikes and bike repair. From flat tires to bent wheels, broken cranks, or rusty chains - everything is easier to fix if you have the right tools - and you know how to use them. Retail bike shops don't loan out their tools or stock used/affordable parts or offer free help with basic bike repairs.  We do all that and more at Sharing Wheels. As the only nonprofit bike shop in Snohomish County, we provide a safety net for some of the neediest people in our county.  

Recognition

Sharing Wheels is a community-driven organization that has been transforming lives in Snohomish County for 22 years by offering people the opportunity to earn and fix their bikes for free. These bikes are essential in helping individuals commute to work, school, and appointments, improving their overall quality of life.

Kenny's story is a testament to the impact of our Earn-a-Bike program. Having experienced homelessness and unstable housing since 2014, Kenny found a path to change through his involvement with The Recovery Café. Through his community of other individuals experiencing homelessness and The Recovery Café, he learned about Sharing Wheels and our program to provide bikes to those in need. After celebrating 100 days of sobriety, Kenny received a free bike voucher at The Recovery Café. Motivated to earn his bike, he visited our shop, where he met Ed, our store manager. Despite struggling with neuropathy, which affects his fine motor skills, Kenny was determined to contribute time in the shop and earn his bike. Together with Ed, they developed a plan that suited Kenny's abilities, allowing him to help with tasks such as sweeping, mopping, and cleaning bikes.

After earning his bike, Kenny became a dedicated volunteer at Sharing Wheels. He enjoys being part of a supportive, sober community and is passionate about giving back by helping others. Kenny also trains new volunteers on how to navigate the shop's processes, demonstrating his commitment to our organization and to our community.

Thanks to partnerships with local organizations like The Recovery Café and the dedication of people like Kenny, Sharing Wheels continues to help individuals gain access to bikes. Our Earn-a-Bike Program is just part of the Sharing Wheels vision of a Snohomish County where anyone can ride, fix or recycle a bicycle. 

Your support ensures that individuals like Kenny can continue to receive a bike, along with the freedom and opportunities that come with it. Together, we can reach our fundraising goal of $20K and help more people ride toward a brighter future. Every dollar you give, up to $6500, will be matched by our board of directors, who commit both time and money to help fulfill our mission of keeping people and bikes moving.