Charlottesville Community Bikes

Charlottesville Community Bikes’ (CCB) mission is to improve the well being and community life in the Charlottesville area through education, community organizing, working with low-income youth, and promoting environmentally sustainable transportation. CCB seeks to serve the Charlottesville community by:

• Recycling donated bikes to provide eco-friendly, healthy transportation alternatives for youth and adults.
• Developing the bike shop as a cooperative work environment where youth and adult volunteers work together to recondition bicycles and build a stronger community in the process.
• Providing a space and tools for participants to learn useful bike maintenance and repair skills to build the program, along with the self-confidence of the participants.

Community Bikes is Moving!
In response to security and safety concerns raised about the former space during summer 2009, in combination with a prior desire to find another space with electricity, bathroom access and a watertight roof, CCB worked secured a lease on a space on Preston Avenue. In this new space CCB could use help funding more open hours, shop improvements, rent, electricity, and water.

Serving the Refugee Community
Local volunteer mechanics work at the shop on donated bicycles for local refugees placed in Charlottesville through the International Rescue Committee. IRC-identified refugees meet with the Bike Mentor group to find an appropriate bike and are provided with helmets, lights, and bicycle locks for their bicycles. After an explanation of road rules, the Bike Mentors ride to the recipients’ homes. CCB requests assistance to pay the certified instructor and to purchase the lights, locks, and helmets.

Revising CCB Youth Program
In the past, CCB has had youth build a bike program, but due to discipline problems we have not been able to integrate youth into CCB leadership roles or to work in the shop effectively. In the new system, only youth who complete our training program, involving safety, mechanics, and shop policies, will enjoy the same privileges as adult patrons. CCB is requesting financial support for a certified instructor, training materials and to provide lights and helmets.

For more information contact: Bryan Eckstein, CCB Treasurer at bryan.eckstein@gmail.com