Freewheels Houston

Freewheels Houston volunteers repair donated bikes and give them to people who need reliable transportation — refugees building new lives, veterans emerging from homelessness, and young people from low-income families trying to get to school and work.

A bike doesn't solve everything. But it solves something immediate and important: it gives people the ability to move through their lives on their own terms.

This is our 11th year doing this work in Houston. More than 3,000 bikes later, we're still at it every Friday and Saturday morning in Gulfton.

The Freewheels bike repair shop is open every Friday and Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon at 6020 Jessamine #204 in the Gulfton area. We will match your volunteer assignment to your skill level and interests.

• Shop volunteers are beginners who want to learn. You will start by cleaning bikes, fixing flats and helping with tasks around the shop. Each time you come back, you will learn more. Many of our most experienced mechanics started exactly this way.

• Bike shop mechanics know how to repair brakes, derailleurs and other bike systems. If that's you, we will put you to work on a bike right away.

Our shop has the tools, parts and a repair checklist developed with input from a master bike technician. You will also find that other volunteers enjoy sharing what they know.

Registering in advance helps us prepare for your visit and makes sure we have your contact information for updates and communications.

Donate bikes you aren't riding

Freewheels needs a steady supply of donated used bikes. We accept donations on Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at our shop. Our greatest need is for adult mountain bikes and hybrids and youth bikes with 24-inch wheels. If your organization wants to run a bike donation drive, we can help you plan it.