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 or bike drive.

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 7:00-9:00 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.

Bringing a group

Please schedule groups with us at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact Gary Chin at gary@bikesnotbombs.org.

Due to our limited capacity, not all group volunteering requests can be accommodated, and we can only accommodate groups of 5 or fewer people.

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 are recruiting volunteers for our 36th Annual Bike-A-Thon on September 10th, 2023. 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!