Youth Bicycle Education
We understand the essential chemistry of kids and bikes. Yes, we run a bike shop, but our mission is to weave local youth into every aspect of our activity, from learning basic bike skills to facing the entrepreneurial challenges of a bustling small business. Your participation, as a customer, donor or volunteer helps develop our resources and create a positive ripple effect in the lives of our young members, into the local community, and beyond.
The Earn-a-Bike Program
The foundation of Blackstone Bicycle Works program allows kids to participate in an active business while earning their way to a bicycle. Starting with flat repair and working up, Woodlawn children, aged 9-16, learn not only how to fix and maintain their own modes of transportation, but how to conduct themselves in a busy bikeshop setting. Once a child accumulates 25 hours in the shop, they can pick a bike from our refurbished selection, along with a new helmet and lock. Since 1994, the Earn-a-Bike Program has helped hundreds of Woodlawn children gain bicycle-mobility, practical skills, and self esteem.
School Year Hours:
Tues-Fri AFTER-SCHOOL, Sat 10am-12 pm
Summer Hours:
Tues-Fri 10 am-1 pm, Sat 10 am-12 pm
Youth Apprenticeship
The Youth Apprenticeship program was created to train our more advanced participants in the specifics of bike mechanics and shop operations. After learning the basics of bike mechanics, these teens then become paid members of the Blackstone crew during summer break. Apprentices work on customer repairs and provide customer service, while helping the Earn-a-Bike participants learn basic bike skills.
Learn how to sign up:Sign-up
Please check out our online photo album, as well as Andy Gregg's collection of photos from 1995-2002.
