Raleigh Community Kickstand
an all-volunteer, community bicycle cooperative
an all-volunteer, community bicycle cooperative
The Raleigh Community Kickstand is an all-volunteer, non-profit community bicycle cooperative project founded in 2017 and based in Raleigh, NC. We work with the city, the county, local cycling shops, cycling non-profits, other organizations, and individuals to collect resources and skills to address a need in our community for safe, reliable, self-sufficient transportation. Our motto is: fix, teach, give.
We are volunteers who repair and distribute bicycles, teach bicycle maintenance, and connect community resources to enable access to safe, reliable, self-sufficient transportation for anyone who needs it.
Currently, we partner with organizations, shelters, and resource centers working with those experiencing housing insecurity in the Raleigh area to give folks refurbished bicycles, perform free repairs, and teach maintenance skills.
We are supported and fiscally sponsored by Oaks & Spokes, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization which fosters the community of people who ride bikes in Raleigh. For more information about Oaks & Spokes, you can visit their website here.
At our pop-up repair events, we not only offer mechanical repairs but also the opportunity for people to learn general bicycle maintenance. We provide all of the necessary tools and work with riders to teach them how to diagnose and repair common issues. We strive to put our riders on a path towards self-sufficiency.
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On average, we spend ~$5 in parts to get a donated bicycle repaired and back out on the road. If possible, please consider contributing $5 to allow a member of your community access to self-sufficient transportation. |
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Many of the riders we support work along busy road ways. We like to provide lights when possible to keep them safe and in compliance with local bike light laws. If possible, please consider contributing $20 to ensure the safety of cyclists in our community. |
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Many of our riders stay in homeless shelters or camp in wooded areas around town. Without a safe storage place, bike theft is unfortunately a common occurrence. If possible, please consider contributing $25 to provide a lock to our riders to ensure they are able to secure their mode of transportation. |
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The Raleigh Community Kickstand could not serve the community without bicycle donations. We refurbish your old bicycles to make sure everyone in the community has the ability to get where they need to go. We accept fully-intact, repairable adult bicycles (24" tires or larger). Our riders traverse a variety of terrains and prefer hybrid bikes or mountain bikes. Donations of components, tools, and other bike related items are accepted on occasion as space allows and as needed. Donations of working lights and locks are always appreciated.
The Raleigh Community Kickstand is entirely volunteer operated. Without people like you, we would not be able to make these services available. We are always looking for additional volunteers to help repair bikes and manage administrative tasks. There are no prior skills required; we will teach you everything you need to know! Volunteering with RCK is a great way to give back to the community and learn more about bicycle maintenance.
If you work for an organization or company that has grant funding opportunities or discount programs for charity-based non-profits, please let us know. We are always in need of funding for consumable parts such as tires, tubes, brake pads, etc.
Since we do not presently have a brick and mortar establishment, we are in need of public locations to host pop-up repair events or maintenance workshops. If you operate a space and are interested in hosting a pop-up event for the community, please contact us. Spaces can be indoor or outdoor and should be easily accessible via foot, bicycle, or public transportation. We will provide stands and tools.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact volunteer@raleighcommunitykickstand.org.
If you are interested in participating in our adopt-a-bike program, contact adoptabike@raleighcommunitykickstand.org.
If you are interested in donating a bicycle, contact bikes@raleighcommunitykickstand.org.
For all other inquiries, contact info@raleighcommunitykickstand.org.
