About Bikes Not Bombs
Mission Statement:
Bikes Not Bombs uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change.We reclaim thousands of bicycles each year.
We create local and global programs that provide skill development, jobs, and sustainable transportation.
Our programs mobilize youth and adults to be leaders in community transformation.
We currently receive approximately 6,000 used bicycles and tons of used parts each year. We ship about 4,800 of these bikes to economic development projects (micro-enterprise bike businesses, sustainable technology projects, and youth training programs) in Ghana, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nevis Island, and Uganda every year. BNB also sends technicians and tools for start-up projects to these same countries. (In the past we have worked in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, South Africa, and Tanzania, and we continue to accept new requests for assistance from projects in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Read more about our international efforts.) We use the remainder of our collected bikes at our Jamaica Plain Center; some are used in our co-ed youth Earn-A-Bike programs, and others are repaired by teenage mechanics as part of our Vocational Training programs and are for sale in our bike shop. BNB also offers girls-only programs all year round.
We operate a full-service Bike Shop, staffed by local teen graduates of BNB training programs and supervised by professional adult bike mechanics. The shop repairs customer bikes, offers hard-to-find used parts and sells new parts, locks, accessories and refurbished bikes with a warranty. Shop specialties include renovated upright-bar road bikes, single-speed coasting and fixed-gear bikes, and higher-end touring and road bikes. We sell frames alone, and some new bikes. Map and Directions
In addition to training young people to become bicycle mechanics and community leaders, we have many ways in which adults can get involved. Adult volunteers help teach youth in the Earn-A-Bike program, after taking our training course. We also teach adult mechanics classes, organize seasonal rides, and are always in need of volunteer help on Wednesday nights and at other times. For more info, check out our Volunteer Page!
Guiding Principles
The Bikes Not Bombs community:- Addresses the root causes of inequality, violence, and oppression
- Supports the self-empowerment of individuals and communities as a means to achieve sustainable, effective social change.
- Includes all people in the social change process in order to challenge the forces and effects of systemic oppression
- Acts in solidarity with our local and international partners because this leads to collective understanding and strength
- Commits to sustainable, equitable consumption of resources as critical to the health of our communities and our planet
- Is courageous and bold in the face of injustice
- Uses the bicycle as a powerful vehicle and tool for social change
- Celebrates and builds upon the existing strengths of our partners and participants.
Mailing List:
Sign our mailing list when you come in, or e-mail your address, phone, and interests that might be relevant to us. We send one newsletter and two update letters a year, and can also send pieces specific to your interests. Let us know whether or not you want to volunteer. If you join our email list, you'll get a monthly email news update, listing classes, volunteer needs, and special events. This is a closed list, we won't share your email address with the list or anyone else, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Monetary Donations:
We rely primarily on monetary donations from individuals to keep our programs running. Join the 2,000 others who will donate in the course of a year because they believe in our work. Checks should be made out to Bikes Not Bombs and mailed to:
Bikes Not Bombs
284 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
We send receipts, and donations are tax-deductible. We are a 501-c3 nonprofit, with tax ID#043-138-753.
Bike Donations:
We accept donations of new or used bicycles, parts, and accessories, and these donations are tax-deductible. See donation guidelines here: bike donations
Memberships:
Become a member! Memberships cost $35 for Individuals, and $50 for a Household/Family. Benefits:
- You'll get a 10% discount on parts and accessories at dozens of local bike shops, including Bikes Not Bombs.
- We'll send you our newsletter each year, two update letters, and if you give us an email address you'll get one email per month with info on courses, rides, volunteer needs, and events (this is a closed list and we won't share your address).
Support Bikes not Bombs by donating online.
BNB Staff:
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Youth Programming Coordinator Elijah Evans 617-522-0222 x101 |
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Youth Development Coordinator Sarah Braunstein 617-522-0222 x104 |
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International Programs Director David Branigan 617-522-0222 103 |
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Director of Grassroots Fundraising & Events Allie Hunter 617-522-0222 x106 |
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Outreach Coordinator and Office Manager Arik Grier 617-522-0222 x100 |
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Administrative Manager Jeremy Hanson 617-522-0222 x109 |
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Information Technology Manager Sean Madsen 617-522-0222 x111 |
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Bike Shop Director Matt Coe 617-522-0226 |
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Bike Shop Assistant Sales Manager Drake King 617-522-0226 |
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Bike Shop Service Manager Charlie Schubert |
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Bike Shop Head Mechanic Alex Twombly |
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Bike Donations & Bike Drives Coordinator (volunteer)
Stephen Bosco |