Recycle-A-Bike

Our youth and adult education programs are comprised of basic and advanced coursework on bicycle mechanics, math, science and job training. We’ve also run an Open Shop program, for between two and four days a week, for over ten years. During Open Shop visitors utilize our work bench and tools with the assistance of volunteer & staff mechanics, browse our robust selection of used parts, and our collection of over 100 donated bicycles many being refurbished. Individuals can volunteer during Open Shop hours to earn free assistance in the shop, bicycles and bicycle parts by volunteering in our Earn-A-Bike and Volunteer Points programs. Visitors that are looking to support our shop can also purchase parts, bicycles and accessories for modest prices lower than found anywhere else in Providence County. Open Shop has served thousands of Rhode Island residents since it was implemented.

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.

WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) Nights @ RAB

The first Wednesday of every month, Recycle-a-Bike will host WTF Wrenching Wednesdays This open-shop-style space is available to people who identify as female, transgender, femme, genderqueer, trans-masculine, trans-feminine, or feel their socialization or treatment as a woman/transperson*/femme has impeded their participation in bike mechanics. If you do not identify with one of these identities, you are kindly asked not to attend this shop time.*

This night is a time to bring your own bike project to work on, pick out a project to volunteer your help with or just to tinker and practice working with the tools. No mechanical knowledge or experience necessary- just an interest in learning! WTF Wrenching Wed will maintain a pop-ed learning culture (no one knows everything and everyone knows something), so we hope to create a kind and respectful learning environment. WTF Wrenching Weds were developed in response to an expressed community need for such a space, drawing inspiration from similar programs nationally and internationally. Click here to see our upcoming WTF Wrenching Wednesdays FB Events, or e-mail Chelsea with any questions.

Pedal Power

Pedal Power brings bikes, helmets and qualified bicycle skills instructors to school-age children in and around the Providence area. Over six weekly class sessions, we turn kids who have never ridden or don’t feel comfortable on a bike into safe, confident and skilled bicyclists. They learn skills like turning and stopping and good safety habits like wearing helmets and signaling.

Maybe most valuable of all, we take them outdoors into nature. Most of our classes take place on bike paths, where kids are outdoors and safe. We take time to explore the hiking trails, woods and shorelines, observing plant and wildlife that we encounter.

MET LTI Internship and Youth Mechanics Certification

This internship is part class and part job. Students at the MET High School spend an entire year being taught the skills required to work at Recycle-A-Bike, and then put those skills to use to support Recycle-A-Bike’s operations & mission.

Students learn bicycle mechanics, smart tool use and work habits, hands-on engineering, bike shop/retail operations, among other skills. We explore the physics of a bicycle including mechanical aspects of how bikes work, how to repair a used bicycle and how to maintain a bicycle in good working order. Students also learn important skills of assessment and problem-solving while working on bikes, necessary and useful skills in any field. Other topics covered in this internship include bike safety, fitness, and the social, economic and environmental benefits of cycling. Students will get to explore the Woonasquatucket River by going for bike rides on the bike path in Providence and Johnston.

Bike Mechanics and Technology

Bike M&T builds on our past Bike Mechanics internship program, adding a complete new science and math curriculum designed by professional educators. We’ll use bikes and pedal-powered electrical generators to demonstrate and apply core concepts in physics, such as work, friction, inertia, and electricity, together with the underlying math. Along with the science and math, students will master bike repair skills in our fully-equipped Community Bike Shop.

The RI Department of Education has approved our Bike M&T curriculum and plan for inclusion in their Advanced Course Network of out-of-classroom instruction opportunities. Students from any high school in Rhode Island may apply for available spaces. Our full year classes will take place at our shop in Olneyville for six hours per week over the two 15-week school terms. Participating students will earn full academic credit toward their high school science and general graduation requirements. As they work and learn in our Community Bike Shop, students will also see the connections linking academic achievement, work habits and skills and future success in life.