Open Shop
Everyone is welcome to drop into our space during our open shop hours. Visitors can use our bike stands, specialized tools and space to make repairs or do routine maintenance on their bikes. Used bike parts are available at discounted prices. The price of new parts are determined by the market rate.
This is a do-it-yourself model, where we take pride in teaching visitors how to make the repairs and adjustments, instead of simply doing the work for them. Our in-house Master Mechanics are always on hand to provide technical expertise and guidance. You don’t need any mechanical experience to join us, but do be prepared to get your hands greasy. There is a suggested donation of $5/hour. Anyone may also volunteer during these hours, and time donated helping the shop will earn points which may be traded for parts, or shop time.
Open Shop Hours: Tuesdays 5-8pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm
Repair & Riding Classes
We teach bike tune-up, maintenance, safe riding, and occasionally we offer more specialized classes. Build-A-Bike Classes, Afterschool Programs, and Refugee Fix-A-Bike programs are just a few of many classes we offer. Email Patrick for further inquiries on taking a workshop or partnerships (schools, community centers, businesses or other groups). Download our new Providence Cycling Map to get the inside scoop from seasoned riders on Rhode Island’s bike paths!
MetRAB
Recycle-A-Bike (RAB) and The MET School have partnered to offer a certification program for high school students to become Junior Bike Mechanics. Over two dozen students have launched their explorations into the world of bicycle refurbishing, maintence, and safety. Designed as an internship, the program entails hands-on mechanical experience under the instruction of RAB-certified teacher-mechanics. Students in this end up with a bike of their own building, and a set of skills which may lead to potential employment in the bicycle industry. At the end of the curriculum of instructional workshops, students are assessed on their bicycle knowledge and repair proficiency. Students are provided additional practice hours by manning the Full Cycle bike shop, the MET’s after-school bicycle repair facility.
Bike Valet
Bike Valet encourages people to ride their bikes to destinations and park nearby without worry of their bicycle’s safety. The goal is to celebrate two-wheel transportation, while alleviating car congestion at large events. In this past year, RAB brought the valet service to over forty local events. By bringing bike support to events. Among the local events, we offer this bike-parking service at the Saturday Farmers Market at Lippitt Park each week throughout the summer. RAB was able to reach thousands of people promoting cycling and offering riding and repair resources to large, diverse groups of people. Other events have included Pronk!, Foo Fest, New England Biking & Walking Summit, Cyclovia, Cylcocross Races, Rocktucket Block Party, Woony Ride, and many others. If you are interested in having Bike Valet at your event, contact valet@recycleabike.org.
