The mission of Back Alley Bikes (BAB) is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access.
Our vision is a Detroit where all people who want or need bicycles can access the resources to build, maintain and repair them.
What’s been happening at Back Alley Bikes during the year of Covid-19, and how have we been keeping to these principles?
Once the state mandate loosened enough, BAB reopened to the community for DIY Open Shop time, Wrench Learn and Give program for adults, and Volunteer hours, all with precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the community space. Providing a safe space, with tools, resources and knowledge for folks to work on bikes has enabled the community to stay safe on the road.
After Bike the Blizzard 2022, we were able to get our Youth Earn A Bike program back up and running - where we held a 6-week course for youth to learn how to work on a bike and then leave with that bike! We also managed to get around 200 kids on bikes through our Kids Bike Giveaways!
During DIY Open Shop time at BAB we offer stands, tools, parts, resources, guidance and a safe space for all people to work on their bikes.
Wrench, Learn and Give is a series of 6 classes for adults, each focusing on a different part of the bike. At the end of the class series, the bikes are looked over for safety and given to Detroit youth.
Volunteer time at Back Alley Bikes is when kids bikes, Spokes for Folks bikes, and Garage Sale bikes are refurbished, among other activities.
Thanks to volunteers (and bike donations!), Back Alley Bikes has had 5 garage sales during summer months this year, which are great opportunities for community members to get on inexpensive, used adult bikes. All bikes for kids are free to Detroit homes.
Next spring we are gearing up to get more Youth Earn A Bike, plus additional youth and adult classes running, and your donations are integral to making this happen.