Frequently Asked Questions
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I have bikes/parts/physical items to donate to SFYBP. Can you come pick them up, or is there a place to drop them off?
I have a bike that is in awful condition. It's rusty, it's dusty. Do you still want it?
I want to donate cash. Where do I do that?
Are my donations tax deductible?
Have another question? Still can't find your answer?
GENERAL
What is a community bike shop?
To quote the California Bicycle Coalition,
“[c]ommunity bike shops — sometimes also called bike kitchens, bike collectives or bike cooperatives — are not-for-profit, volunteer-run organizations that offer such low-cost and free services as bicycle education, do-it-yourself bicycle repairs, and bicycle recycling, often with a special focus on serving youth, low-income and otherwise underserved communities.
Most community bike shops rely on donations of bike equipment, tools and cash in order to provide these services.”
SFYBP’s focus is on developing a welcoming, accessible shop where volunteer power refurbishes donated bikes and parts into functional bikes for the Bay Area and for various special projects.
To quote the California Bicycle Coalition,
“[c]ommunity bike shops — sometimes also called bike kitchens, bike collectives or bike cooperatives — are not-for-profit, volunteer-run organizations that offer such low-cost and free services as bicycle education, do-it-yourself bicycle repairs, and bicycle recycling, often with a special focus on serving youth, low-income and otherwise underserved communities.
Most community bike shops rely on donations of bike equipment, tools and cash in order to provide these services.”
SFYBP’s focus is on developing a welcoming, accessible shop where volunteer power refurbishes donated bikes and parts into functional bikes for the Bay Area and for various special projects.
Aren’t there already community bike shops in San Francisco?
Yes! There are already some wonderful, established community bike shops in San Francisco, such as The Bike Hut and The Bike Kitchen. However, San Francisco is one of the premier cycling cities in the US and is working towards becoming one of the premier cycling cities in the world--we need more than a couple of community shops to adequately service the thousands of cyclists and bikes in San Francisco’s diverse geography.
And SF Yellow Bike is one of the only organizations in SF devoted to using volunteer power to refurbish donated bicycles for charitable projects.
Yes! There are already some wonderful, established community bike shops in San Francisco, such as The Bike Hut and The Bike Kitchen. However, San Francisco is one of the premier cycling cities in the US and is working towards becoming one of the premier cycling cities in the world--we need more than a couple of community shops to adequately service the thousands of cyclists and bikes in San Francisco’s diverse geography.
And SF Yellow Bike is one of the only organizations in SF devoted to using volunteer power to refurbish donated bicycles for charitable projects.
How is SFYBP different from The Bike Kitchen?
First off, we love The Bike Kitchen! But this is a question we are frequently asked, so we thought it would be helpful to provide a concise answer.
Like all community bike shops, The Bike Kitchen and SFYBP have a lot in common. We are both places where you can learn the art of bicycle maintenance and repair, community centers providing bike-related outreach, open shops where you can come and work on your bike, and opportunities for you to earn a bike through volunteering..
Nevertheless, there are some fundamental differences in our focus, organization, and programs:
--SFYBP is entirely donation and grant supported. We have no membership fees--anybody can make use of the shop or volunteer.
--SFYBP is more than a Do-It-Yourself shop: our Volunteer Program focuses on salvaging and refurbishing donated bikes and parts for our various charitable and educational programs.
--SFYBP is seeking a permanent shop space on the west side of San Francisco. Our aim is to make cycling more accessible and practical for communities currently lacking in shops and other cycling resources.
Our approach isn’t better than or meant to compete with The Bike Kitchen’s--it’s just another form and focus that a community shop can take. The Bike Kitchen’s success has paved the way for other community shops like SFYBP to flourish in San Francisco.
First off, we love The Bike Kitchen! But this is a question we are frequently asked, so we thought it would be helpful to provide a concise answer.
Like all community bike shops, The Bike Kitchen and SFYBP have a lot in common. We are both places where you can learn the art of bicycle maintenance and repair, community centers providing bike-related outreach, open shops where you can come and work on your bike, and opportunities for you to earn a bike through volunteering..
Nevertheless, there are some fundamental differences in our focus, organization, and programs:
--SFYBP is entirely donation and grant supported. We have no membership fees--anybody can make use of the shop or volunteer.
--SFYBP is more than a Do-It-Yourself shop: our Volunteer Program focuses on salvaging and refurbishing donated bikes and parts for our various charitable and educational programs.
--SFYBP is seeking a permanent shop space on the west side of San Francisco. Our aim is to make cycling more accessible and practical for communities currently lacking in shops and other cycling resources.
Our approach isn’t better than or meant to compete with The Bike Kitchen’s--it’s just another form and focus that a community shop can take. The Bike Kitchen’s success has paved the way for other community shops like SFYBP to flourish in San Francisco.
Is SFYBP a Bike Share program?
No. While SFYBP may from time to time work on special projects that include limited ride share programs for particular communities, it is not a public bike share program.
No. While SFYBP may from time to time work on special projects that include limited ride share programs for particular communities, it is not a public bike share program.
How is SFYBP Funded?
SFYBP is funded by donations and grants. There are no membership fees to help out and become a part of SFYBP!
SFYBP is funded by donations and grants. There are no membership fees to help out and become a part of SFYBP!
What is a “Yellow Bike?”
There are a lot of used bikes out there that people wouldn’t buy even if they were fixed up. When something goes wrong with these low end (often Burner) bikes, they are typically destined for the landfill. By the same token, there are a lot of people who would benefit from having access to the most basic bicycles, as well as people who haven’t ridden in years but whose interest in cycling would be rekindled by finding a bicycle they wouldn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for.
The Yellow Bike program is the bridge between these bikes and people. We take the bikes that ordinarily would be thrown out, salvage and refurbish what we can (and recycle or turn into art what we can’t), and build simple, functional bikes that we paint yellow. These bicycles are available for a suggested donation of $10. Use it for a day, for a year, or forever!
Yellow Bikes may be brought back to the shop for maintenance, and when they are no longer needed, donate them back to the Yellow Bike program!
Give us your tires, your wheels,
Your dusty Burners yearning to ride free,
The wretched refuse of your aluminums and steels.
Send these, the rusty, dumpster-tost bicis,
We lift our wrenches to make Yellow Bike deals!
There are a lot of used bikes out there that people wouldn’t buy even if they were fixed up. When something goes wrong with these low end (often Burner) bikes, they are typically destined for the landfill. By the same token, there are a lot of people who would benefit from having access to the most basic bicycles, as well as people who haven’t ridden in years but whose interest in cycling would be rekindled by finding a bicycle they wouldn’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for.
The Yellow Bike program is the bridge between these bikes and people. We take the bikes that ordinarily would be thrown out, salvage and refurbish what we can (and recycle or turn into art what we can’t), and build simple, functional bikes that we paint yellow. These bicycles are available for a suggested donation of $10. Use it for a day, for a year, or forever!
Yellow Bikes may be brought back to the shop for maintenance, and when they are no longer needed, donate them back to the Yellow Bike program!
Give us your tires, your wheels,
Your dusty Burners yearning to ride free,
The wretched refuse of your aluminums and steels.
Send these, the rusty, dumpster-tost bicis,
We lift our wrenches to make Yellow Bike deals!
Why “Yellow Bike?”
Yellow Bikes (and white and green and red and orange) bikes have a history. Originally, these [Color] bike projects focused only on releasing [color] bikes into the streets for anyone's use as a rather radical experiment in free public bike sharing. To put it tactfully, most of these programs were unsuccessful. The bikes were often stolen, destroyed, or somehow otherwise “disappeared.” However, more recently, successful [color] bike projects tend to be community bike shops in which releasing [color] bikes is just one of many programs. Some [color] bike shops--including SFYBP--have remixed the original idea, using [color] bikes as extremely cheap purchases or refundable, long term rentals. One great example of a modern [color] bike project is our inspiration, the Austin Yellow Bike Project, which has been running for 15 years (and where SFYBP President Woody was once a shop coordinator.) The primary purpose of these bike shops is not to fill the role of the public/city bike share program. (Smart bike share programs like those in DC and Boston (and soon San Francisco and Austin!) have had a lot more success for that purpose.)
So why make Yellow Bikes at all? Well, there are a variety of reasons. The three main ones are 1) Education, 2) Access, and 3) Awareness. On the education side, our shop is designed to be welcoming and accessible to people of all skill levels and experiences--even people who wouldn't self-describe as cyclists (or who would self-describe as bike maintenance novices, like VP Dubinsky!). When you're learning bike mechanics, the stakes are a little high if you're working on your own bike. What if you screw up? You might have just cost yourself a lot of money and ruined your ride home. With Yellow Bikes, novice volunteers have a low-stakes opportunity to learn the ins and outs of bike mechanics before moving on to more valuable projects. If you screw up, so what? The parts were salvaged, not valuable, and the bike was just going to be given away for a small suggested donation, so no great loss was suffered. Anything salvageable will just be used on another yellow bike, and the rest will be sent to the proper recycling stream.
In terms of Access, Yellow Bikes serve as a means of transportation for someone curious about cycling or who may not be able to afford to purchase a bike. Yellow Bikes dramatically lower the barriers to getting on a bike! Also note that smart city bike share programs are typically not free, and the SF city bike share plan seems to focus primarily on SOMA/Embarcadero/Financial District and the CALtrain corridor, not (at least at the outset) on serving as a truly practical city-wide means of transportation. So while Yellow Bikes are not a public transit solution, they can be a personal transit solution.
On the Awareness side, SFYBP will occasionally host Yellow Bike fleet releases--they are an opportunity for a community event--a gathering, a celebration--that raises awareness about cycling in general and about SFYBP’s programs. And we'll always get a thrill when we see a Yellow Bike out on the street!
Yellow Bikes (and white and green and red and orange) bikes have a history. Originally, these [Color] bike projects focused only on releasing [color] bikes into the streets for anyone's use as a rather radical experiment in free public bike sharing. To put it tactfully, most of these programs were unsuccessful. The bikes were often stolen, destroyed, or somehow otherwise “disappeared.” However, more recently, successful [color] bike projects tend to be community bike shops in which releasing [color] bikes is just one of many programs. Some [color] bike shops--including SFYBP--have remixed the original idea, using [color] bikes as extremely cheap purchases or refundable, long term rentals. One great example of a modern [color] bike project is our inspiration, the Austin Yellow Bike Project, which has been running for 15 years (and where SFYBP President Woody was once a shop coordinator.) The primary purpose of these bike shops is not to fill the role of the public/city bike share program. (Smart bike share programs like those in DC and Boston (and soon San Francisco and Austin!) have had a lot more success for that purpose.)
So why make Yellow Bikes at all? Well, there are a variety of reasons. The three main ones are 1) Education, 2) Access, and 3) Awareness. On the education side, our shop is designed to be welcoming and accessible to people of all skill levels and experiences--even people who wouldn't self-describe as cyclists (or who would self-describe as bike maintenance novices, like VP Dubinsky!). When you're learning bike mechanics, the stakes are a little high if you're working on your own bike. What if you screw up? You might have just cost yourself a lot of money and ruined your ride home. With Yellow Bikes, novice volunteers have a low-stakes opportunity to learn the ins and outs of bike mechanics before moving on to more valuable projects. If you screw up, so what? The parts were salvaged, not valuable, and the bike was just going to be given away for a small suggested donation, so no great loss was suffered. Anything salvageable will just be used on another yellow bike, and the rest will be sent to the proper recycling stream.
In terms of Access, Yellow Bikes serve as a means of transportation for someone curious about cycling or who may not be able to afford to purchase a bike. Yellow Bikes dramatically lower the barriers to getting on a bike! Also note that smart city bike share programs are typically not free, and the SF city bike share plan seems to focus primarily on SOMA/Embarcadero/Financial District and the CALtrain corridor, not (at least at the outset) on serving as a truly practical city-wide means of transportation. So while Yellow Bikes are not a public transit solution, they can be a personal transit solution.
On the Awareness side, SFYBP will occasionally host Yellow Bike fleet releases--they are an opportunity for a community event--a gathering, a celebration--that raises awareness about cycling in general and about SFYBP’s programs. And we'll always get a thrill when we see a Yellow Bike out on the street!
SHOP & SHOP USE
Where is the SFYBP shop?
We have a new work space at 25 Division Street in the Design District (between SOMA and Potrero). Hooray! Come be a part!
We have a new work space at 25 Division Street in the Design District (between SOMA and Potrero). Hooray! Come be a part!
What are SFYBP shop hours?
Mondays (except for the last Monday every month): 6-9pm
Wednesdays: 2-5pm
Thursdays: 6-9pm
You can also e-mail us at info@sfyellowbike.org to schedule a private appointment for another time. In the meantime, check our home page and events page (and facebook and twitter) for our mobile and pop-up shops!
Mondays (except for the last Monday every month): 6-9pm
Wednesdays: 2-5pm
Thursdays: 6-9pm
You can also e-mail us at info@sfyellowbike.org to schedule a private appointment for another time. In the meantime, check our home page and events page (and facebook and twitter) for our mobile and pop-up shops!
Can I work on my own bike at SFYBP?
Yes! We will have open shop hours where you can come to SFYBP and work on your own bike or get help working on your own bike. In return for using the shop to work on your own bike, we encourage you to volunteer to work on bikes for one of our charitable programs.
Yes! We will have open shop hours where you can come to SFYBP and work on your own bike or get help working on your own bike. In return for using the shop to work on your own bike, we encourage you to volunteer to work on bikes for one of our charitable programs.
Do I have to pay to use the SFYBP shop?
Nope! However, in order to use some parts, you may have to make a donation. We encourage you to volunteer time equal to any personal use of the shop. This helps ensure that SFYBP supports its mission and helps you become a part of making SFYBP a better community shop. If you are unable to volunteer, we suggest a donation of $5 per use of the shop, independent of any donations made for parts.
Nope! However, in order to use some parts, you may have to make a donation. We encourage you to volunteer time equal to any personal use of the shop. This helps ensure that SFYBP supports its mission and helps you become a part of making SFYBP a better community shop. If you are unable to volunteer, we suggest a donation of $5 per use of the shop, independent of any donations made for parts.
I am working on my own bike and I need a part. How much will it cost?
When you find a part that you need in the shop, speak to a volunteer coordinator. Prices for our used parts are MUCH cheaper than buying the part new.
When you find a part that you need in the shop, speak to a volunteer coordinator. Prices for our used parts are MUCH cheaper than buying the part new.
Does SFYBP have any new parts?
Yes. We have a limited selection of new parts, such as cables, tubes, chains, bearings, locks, and lights. For a larger selection, visit one of San Francisco’s many excellent retail bike shops.
Yes. We have a limited selection of new parts, such as cables, tubes, chains, bearings, locks, and lights. For a larger selection, visit one of San Francisco’s many excellent retail bike shops.
I own an under-utilized space in the Inner Richmond or Inner Sunset (or elsewhere in San Francisco!) that I would like to rent for a good cause at a discount. Would SFYBP be interested?
YES. Please contact us ASAP!
YES. Please contact us ASAP!
VOLUNTEERING
I don’t know anything about bikes. Does that matter?
No! In fact, you’re an ideal volunteer! A main component of our mission is to provide a free education in bicycle maintenance and repair to our volunteers. There is nothing more rewarding to us than witnessing a novice volunteer progress toward confidence and competence in bicycle repair. Don’t worry--you won’t be asked to build up bottom brackets on your first day. And a shop coordinator will always be present to guide you through repairs and answer any questions.
No! In fact, you’re an ideal volunteer! A main component of our mission is to provide a free education in bicycle maintenance and repair to our volunteers. There is nothing more rewarding to us than witnessing a novice volunteer progress toward confidence and competence in bicycle repair. Don’t worry--you won’t be asked to build up bottom brackets on your first day. And a shop coordinator will always be present to guide you through repairs and answer any questions.
Is there anything I can do to help besides fixing bikes?
Absolutely! We’re a volunteer-powered nonprofit, so we could sure use a hand in everything from sorting to cleaning to photography and videography to graphic design and beyond. Please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org if you think you can help out SFYBP.
Absolutely! We’re a volunteer-powered nonprofit, so we could sure use a hand in everything from sorting to cleaning to photography and videography to graphic design and beyond. Please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org if you think you can help out SFYBP.
DONATIONS
I have parts/bikes/physical items to donate to SFYBP. Can you come pick them up, or is there a place to drop them off?
If you have bikes or parts to donate, please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org. We can arrange a drop off location. For the time being, we might also be able to come pick up donations.
If you have bikes or parts to donate, please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org. We can arrange a drop off location. For the time being, we might also be able to come pick up donations.
I have a bike that is in awful condition. It’s rusty, it’s dusty. Do you still want it?
Yes! We take bikes in any conditions. Anything that is truly unusable will be diverted to the proper recycling stream.
Yes! We take bikes in any conditions. Anything that is truly unusable will be diverted to the proper recycling stream.
I want to donate cash. Where do I do that?
The easiest way to donate money is through paypal on our donation page. We can also accept credit card payments over the phone. Please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org if you would like to write a check or make a cash payment.
The easiest way to donate money is through paypal on our donation page. We can also accept credit card payments over the phone. Please contact us at info@sfyellowbike.org if you would like to write a check or make a cash payment.
Are my donations tax deductible?
YES! SFYBP received its tax-exempt letter from the IRS. Effective 7/19/2011, we are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
YES! SFYBP received its tax-exempt letter from the IRS. Effective 7/19/2011, we are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Have another question? Still can’t find your answer?
Head over to our Contact Us page to send us an e-mail, call us on the phone, or find us on Twitter or Facebook.
