Utica Bike Rescue Programs

Bikes for Goodwill Organizations
Through the Bikes for Goodwill Organizations program, Utica Bike Rescue provides refurbished bikes to clients identified by our partner organizations. Bikes for Goodwill Organizations provides increased mobility and access to transportation. This provides far-reaching benefit to recipients by providing the means to travel independently and inexpensively to employment, medical appointments, meetings with case workers, school and other necessary travel.
more

Earn-A-Bike
Students, particularly at-risk or refugee youth, attend the 90-minute Earn-A-Bike course twice a week for 6-8 weeks. Each student completely disassembles a bike in the first 2-4 weeks. In the second 2-4 weeks, they complete the process and rebuild their brand new looking bikes. While there are specific tasks that need to happen, they develop their own sense of time management (hence the variability in class duration) with the reality that they need to finish their bike before the end of the session. By participating in the Earn-A-Bike program, students will:

  • Develop mechanical and technical aptitude
  • Develop a sense of pride and individual responsibility
  • Develop valuable time management skills
  • Engage in a healthier lifestyle
  • Promote repurposing and recycling of consumer goods
  • Learn about traffic safety
  • Help combat childhood obesity
  • Contribute to pollution prevention
more

Bicycle Mechanic Class
Bicyclists interested in learning new skills, or honing their abilities, can attend any or all of the classes taught by trained and experienced bicycle mechanics; this is a hands-on training course. The goal of the course is first and foremost to educate and empower participants by teaching them new mechanical skills. But Utica Bike Rescue is also dependent on volunteers to expand its programming to reach a wider audience. Graduates of the Bicycle Mechanic Class are encouraged to return to Utica Bike Rescue as volunteers.
more

Only On My Bike
Partnering with community organizations, the Only On My Bike program integrates bicycle riding skills, safety and repair into existing summer camp programs. The program is tailored to meet the camp schedule and the age/ability of campers. The safety instruction can include as little as 2-3 hours during the camp session, incorporation of mechanical instruction requires a longer time commitment. By participating in Only On My Bike, campers will:

  • Learn essential bicycling safety skills
  • Develop confidence in bicycle handling
  • Develop mechanical and technical aptitude
  • Engage in a healthier lifestyle
  • Help combat childhood obesity
more

UBR is grateful for the support we receive from these generous organizations and businesses.