Bikes Not Bombs:
Building Careers. Leading Change
RECLAIM, EMPOWER, TRANFORM
Our work is guided by three core principles:
- We reclaim discarded bikes, and also help community members reclaim their power, narratives, and potential.
- We believe in the power of young people to realize their potential, lead with confidence, and drive change. We empower youth through hands-on skills training, leadership opportunities, and pathways to economic mobility.
- We transform futures through transportation access, environmental action, and social justice.
“As a resident of Dorchester, I’m proud to serve, teach, and contribute to the same community that helped me get where I am.”
Antonio Venus-Reeves, Sales Associate
Bikes Not Bombs (BNB) equips young people with the skills and leadership experience they need to confidently shape their futures and their communities. Apprentices don’t just train for jobs; they engage in meaningful work that supports technical learning while advancing racial equity, economic opportunity, and community power — all within a caring community.
We believe that when young people are trusted with responsibility, challenged through real work, and surrounded by support, they gain the skills and self-assurance needed to thrive and lead. The bicycle is our teaching tool — but the real transformation happens in the young people who know how to solve problems and rise up as changemakers.
PATHWAYS WITH A PURPOSE
Nearly a decade ago, Antonio built a bike in BNB’s Earn-A-Bike program. From there, he earned a spot as a Youth Apprentice. Today, he is a BNB Sales Associate and mentor, supporting young people in gaining the same skills, discipline, and confidence that shaped his own career.
“It has been a long journey since I started here in the Earn-A-Bike Program, about 10 years ago! This was the start of my process to get to where I am today as a Sales Associate.”
Antonio
Tamirah found her voice through Youth Pathways. Now a Sales Coordinator, mentor, and senior at Northeastern University, Tamirah is making sure that other young people have the support they need to thrive.
“I started working at BNB when I was 16-years-old; it was my first real job. At the time, I was a young Black girl who didn’t yet understand the systems working against me, but I quickly found a community that did. BNB shaped my future and solidified my commitment to serving youth. As a future social worker, I will ensure young people in my community have the resources, support, and voice they deserve. BNB gave me a glimpse of that future.”
Tamirah Brown, Sales Coordinator
Sam’s professional journey represents what it means to return to strengthen an organization that always believed in him.
“Since starting as an Youth Apprentice in 2018, I’ve learned how one organization can solve multiple problems at once – from removing excess bikes from the local stream waste to supporting global partners in addressing social inequities. Each of my BNB roles — from Bike Donations Apprentice to Development Intern to my current role of Manager of Development and Operations — broadened my understanding of what it takes to run an impactful community-centered organization. BNB has given me a solid foundation to continue in non-profit work and/or eventually start my own business.”
Today, Sam supports fundraising operations and organizational development — engaging youth in many aspects of the work, so that they can also stretch the boundaries of what they thought was possible.
YOUR SUPPORT ENERGIZES COMMUNITY CHANGE
This year, Apprentices will hone critical work and life skills as they advance bike access, safer streets, and inclusive riding throughout Boston and beyond:
- Strengthen our mission-driven bike shop;
- Teach multi-week bike mechanics courses;
- Ship bikes to global partners;
- Lead indoor and outdoor riding events;
- Host community meetings to advance transportation equity;
- Coordinate Commuter Challenge scavenger hunts to promote active transportation;
- And much, much more.
JOIN US
At Bikes Not Bombs, we know that when young people are given opportunity, mentorship, and meaningful work, they flourish — and so do their communities. Together, we can reclaim, empower, and transform lives through the power of youth development and solidarity.