Bicycle Collective

As part of our mission statement, "...The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and offers educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households."

We take that very seriously and strive to make sure we reach those demographics.  We ensure this by establishing partnerships with various local non-profit organizations that can help us pre-qualify those individuals.  The bikes that have been donated by the public and refurbished by our volunteers are then given to those individuals sponsored by partnerships.

If you represent an organization that could benefit from our program, please feel free to contact us.

To date we have worked with the following organizations:

• International Rescue Commitee
• Catholic Community Services
• Utah Division of Child and Family Services
• Harm Reduction Project
• YWCA
• YouthCity
• Odyssey House of Utah
• The Road Home
• Navajo Santa
• The Sharing Place
• LDS Church
• First Step House
• Volunteers of America Homeless: Youth Resource Center
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah
• Utah Youth Village
• Simons Aunankwah - Ghana
• Road Home
• Sierra Club
• Wasatch Community Gardens
• Gateway Academy
• Utah Department of Human Services
• Welcome Hand
• Utah Federation for Youth
• Salt Lake Central City Recreation Center
• Community Action Program

In a nut shell, we can provide [repaired] bikes to your patrons, which include bike licensing, but once they get the bikes, you will need to provide them with locks -- otherwise they will get stolen again.  If you want, we can give you a quote for purchases quality U-Locks at wholesale cost.  Cables, chains and cylindrical keys are inadequate protection these days.

• When avaliable, the Collective provides repaired bikes to anyone that comes in with a signed letter on letterhead from a partnering 501(c)(3) non-profit.  Letters should include the date, for who and why.

• Letter recipients need to call and make an appointment.  Walk-ins will be asked to schedule and appointment and come back at that time.

• To ensure proper sizing, the recipient of the bike must be present for a proper bike fitting.  We also want them to pick a bike that looks good to them, and the only one that can do that is them, so they need to be there.

• Bike Drives done by partnering 501(c)(3) non-profits are not required, but greatly needed and appreciated.

• Recipients only get one bike per lifetime through this program. It is not the responsibility of the Collective to replace stolen bikes, including but not limited to bikes that were parked outside overnight, left unlocked, or locked with cables, chains, locks that use cylindrical keys, or other common situations that bikes are stolen in.

• Do NOT refer anyone who you cannot afford a U-Lock with a flat key (not cylindrical).  Without a lock it is very likely their bike will be stolen, and per the condition above, the Collective will not provide a replacement.  In an effort to make this more affordable, the Collective offers a U-Lock at 10% above wholesale cost to anyone getting a bike through this program.  The 10% includes tax and shipping.

• We prioritize organizations that help reduce exposure to weather, vandalism, and theft.  Therefore, facilities that want bikes for their residents MUST allow bikes to be stored inside the facility.  No exceptions.   You probably have staff that would like this option too.

• When they come down for their appointment they need to bring their letter, which is worth up to $60 in used bikes, which includes most of our bikes.

• While most of our bikes are priced at or under $60.  Recipients that want a bike that is more than $60 can volunteer at a rate of $5 per volunteer hour or pay the difference before they can take that bike home.

• When available, we will also offer a free helmet and helmet fitting.

• If we have a repaired bike that fits them, we will register (SLCPD) the bike to them, at which point they keep the bike and we keep the signed letterhead for our records.

• If we do not have a "repaired" bike, they will need to keep the letter and re-schedule for another time.  There will be unrepaired bikes in the shop at these times, but for safety reasons we will not let those go.

• Bike supply and appointments are limited, so we ask that partnering non-profits do not treat this like an infinite resource and give it to those who really need it most.

• If anyone shows up under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is belligerent to volunteers, staff, and/or other patrons -- they may be asked to leave and we will notify the sponsoring non-profit of the incident.