Recycle-A-Bike

Floored by how good my experience was at Recycle-​A-​Bike. I went with the goal of repairing 2 flat tires (damn you, Point Street Bridge), getting an estimate for selling my 1,000lb vintage Schwinn, and browsing the selection of refurbished bikes they have there to buy to replace my commuter bike.
I got all of that done plus more, for the bargain price or $ 15 for parts, labor, training, and consultation. And knowing that I supported a one-​of-​a-​kind community-​based nonprofit.
Recycle-​A-​Bike, formerly housed at the Steel Yard, is a volunteer-​driven social venture nestled in the heart of Olneyville, behind NY System Weiners. Their mission says it all: «RAB is a volunteer-​based community organization that connects people with refurbished bikes, provides practical bike knowledge, and advocates bicycle use by safer, more confident cyclists.» So there’s an education component to teach bike mechanics and maintenance, a store component to buy affordable used bikes, and a service component to have your bike fixed up by one of the volunteer bike mechanics.
The location is a total gem. Plenty of parking available in the lot. The place was bustling! Kids trying out bikes to buy, teenagers completing the Build-​A-​Bike program (32 hours of hands-​on training where they build one bike for the shop to resell and one bike for them to keep), community members stopping in to use the readily available tools and bike stand, and volunteers helping out the folk like me who needed some hand-​on help and guidance.
It felt like family– unified by a love of the bike and a commitment to community development. The volunteers were all super knowledgeable and friendly. Turns out that the volunteer who helped me is a Brown professor and volunteer rugby coach who worked at a bike shop on Hope St. forever and a day ago. He knew his stuff, and was an absolute joy to chat with.
I just can’t say enough good things. The service was great. The experience was great. The parts and labor were a total steal of a deal because of the volunteer hours. And I know that I supported a great cause in my neighborhood.
I’m toying between completing the 32-​hour Build-​A-​Bike program to get a bike and the training, but if time doesn’t allow in the fall, I will definitely return to the shop in Olneyville to buy my new commuter bike.
Who needs a bike shop? I’ve found Recycle-​A-​Bike.