History
Neighborhood Bike Works is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, recreational, and career-building opportunities to youth throughbi cycling, and encourages cycling in Philadelphia by offering resources to both youth and adults. Our youth programs primarily serve youth ages 8 to 18. Since 1996, NBW has introduced over 4,500 young Philadelphians to the joys and freedom of cycling in the city and has expanded to three locations in Philadelphia.
Our Youth Bicycle Education Program provides a safe haven where inner-city youth learn about basic bicycle maintenance, safe riding skills, and nutrition. They also participate in fun and educational activities that open their eyes to new possibilities. Youth enter the program through Earn-a-Bike, a free on-site program that walks them through the ins and outs of basic bicycle repair, and empowers by giving them the opportunity to 'earn' the bike they have worked on over an 8-week period.
Many of our Earn-a-Bike graduates continue to engage with Neighborhood Bike Works by coming to weekly Drop-in sessions at our shops, going on monthly group rides and field trips, or by joining the race team. Through all of these programs, our trained instructors act as mentors to the youth, often developing strong positive relationships that support their growth both in and outside of Neighborhood Bike Works. Our programs promote the physical, educational and life skills necessary to prepare and empower them for leadership in their communities and success in their personal lives.
Neighborhood Bike Works started in 1996 as Youth Cycle & Recycle, a program of The Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley and organized as a separate nonprofit in July 1999. We currently operate out of three locations in Philadelphia, in West Philadelphia at our 40th Street Shop in St. Mary's Church on the University of Pennsylvania campus, in North Philadelphia at our Retail Bike Shop at Broad Street and Susquehanna Avenue, and at our South Philadelphia satellite location at 5th and Lombard Streets. Over the years, we have also operated locations in the Haddington neighborhood of West Philadelphia and in Norristown.
We frequently run off-site programs with partners that include schools, recreation centers, and other community organizations .NBW provides services to the community as a whole in the form of bike safety checks at community events, and valet bike parking at events. These community programs provide a positive way for youth to give back to the community.
Neighborhood Bike Works would not be successful without the ongoing support of our many community partners. These include:
Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
