Amanda B., Bikes Not Bombs volunteer

Volunteer with Bikes Not Bombs!

Bikes Not Bombs simply couldn't function without our tremendous volunteer support. There are many ways to get involved:

  • Register for Volunteer Night, held on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM.
  • Apply to be a Volunteer Apprentice and assist with Bikes Not Bombs' key operations at our Hub (administrative offices) and Bike Shop & Training Center. Shifts are available Monday through Saturday.
  • Help out at a special event, such as a container loading, bike drive, or the Bike-A-Thon.

Stay up to date with all of our volunteer opportunities when you sign up on Bloomerang Volunteer with Bikes Not Bombs!  This platform hosts all of our volunteer opportunities and allows you to:

  • View and sign up for shifts
  • Pick specific jobs and tasks within one shift
  • Track your hours, waivers, qualifications, and contact information all in one place!

 

If you are volunteering on site, please wear clothing that you don't mind getting dirty; closed-toed footwear is required to ensure the safety of all program participants.

Volunteer Night runs from 6:00-9:00 PM on Wednesday evenings. Any schedule changes will be posted on our website.

Pre-registration is required.

Spots are guaranteed for up to 10 registrants.

Attending

  • Pre-registration is required. Click here to do so.
  • All skill-levels and ages are welcome! Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Try to wear clothes that can get dirty. Closed-toed footwear is required to ensure the safety of all program participants.
  • Occasionally, Volunteer Night will be canceled due to weather or a holiday. Such cancelations will appear in our events list on the home page.

The work

Work may include the following common tasks:

  • "Flattening" bikes -- turning the handle bars sideways and the pedals inside-out so that the bikes fit easily into a shipping container to send overseas in our international programs.
  • "Stripping" bikes -- taking all the parts off of a frame (needs to be done for bikes that have some broken pieces).
  • Sorting parts
  • Building up bikes
  • General cleaning, housekeeping, and other tasks!

A volunteer coordinator will show you what to do, and no experience is required.

Bikes Not Bombs offers six unique volunteer apprenticeship opportunities. Please click on each title to view the corresponding volunteer job description.

  • Admin & Outreach Apprentice - Provide general administrative support, engage the cycling and social justice community to grow our base of supporters.
  • Bike Recycling Apprentice - Process bicycles and various parts for international shipping and other bike distribution programs.
  • Bike School Apprentice - Directly support the Bike School Coordinator and Youth Apprentices with the development and implementation of bicycle education curriculum (Completion of a previous Bike School program is required. Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information [CORI] check.)
  • Community Organizer Apprentice - Support Bikes Not Bombs' youth organizing and advocacy efforts (BOCA).
  • Mechanic Apprentice - Build up recycled and refurbished bicycles for sale and for use in our distribution and education programs
  • Sales Apprentice - Greet and assist customers, organize special orders, facilitate bike donation intake, inventory management and organization.

How to apply:

  • Submit your interest on the Volunteer Interest Form to indicate your preferences and availability
  • Submit the Volunteer Application and your resume (if available) indicating the specific role/s you're interested in and other required information/permissions. The application form will be sent to you by a member of BNB staff.

After receiving both your Volunteer Interest Form and the Volunteer Application, we will hold a phone interview to discuss your application and placement.

We will recruit volunteers for our 37th Annual Bike-A-Thon in September 2024. Volunteer roles include: assisting with our valet bike parking, setting up the event materials in Stony Brook, or staffing the rest stops along our routes! View roles and sign up here.

Volunteer Groups

  • We can accommodate smaller groups (of 5 or fewer people) joining us on Volunteer Night, or;
  • Larger groups are encouraged to reach out to schedule a stand-alone volunteer event.

Please schedule groups with us at least 2 weeks in advance. 

Due to our limited capacity, not all group volunteering requests can be accommodated, but we will do our best to work with you! Please fill out the following form to request a time for your large (5+ people) volunteer group and contact Julia Karr at julia@bikesnotbombs.org with any questions.