Volunteering at our community bike shops

Volunteers make our shops run! Want to give back to the community, make cycling more accessible, and learn all about bikes? Come join a team of friendly people with a passion for all sorts of bikes! A desire to learn and help others is all you need. No previous bike repair experience is required.

What volunteering looks like

Our shops are community resources and learning spaces. They are a place to get help with bike repairs, learn about cycling and find affordable parts and used bikes. Volunteers make this happen by sharing their time and knowledge with the community. Volunteers work to create a welcoming space, and maintain the shops to keep them running smoothly.

Shop volunteers:

  • welcome patrons and help them to find bikes and parts

  • repair bikes and help with DIY repairs

  • fix up bikes and parts to sell

  • organize, tidy and improve the shop

  • undertake special projects

We also run weekly volunteer-only Bike Building nights where we refurbish good bikes, strip unusable bikes, and do other ‘behind the scenes’ work.

Volunteer perks

Besides building community and growing your skills, as a regular shop volunteer you get:

  • free use of the workshops, and eligibility for a shop key 

  • a free Bike Edmonton membership

  • discounts on parts and bikes

All volunteers have access to:

  • mechanical training

  • opportunities for paid mechanic and event work

  • volunteer events and group bike rides!

Volunteer requirements

  • you must be 16 or over to volunteer

  • minimum time commitment of 3-4 hours every two weeks 

  • follow all shop rules

  • be willing to help out with all duties needed to keep the shop running

Starting Out

Interested in volunteering? Here’s how to get involved:

  1. If you haven’t already, visit one of our shops during open hours. It’s a great chance to ask staff and current volunteers questions, and get a feel for the space and how it works.

  2. While you are there, fill out the Volunteer Application form (this must be done at the shop, ask a volunteer or staff and we will set you up).

  3. Attend an information session at the shop where you want to volunteer. We will contact you to attend a session. We will give you the run-down on our history, current operations, and shop rules and guidelines.

  4. Sign up for your first shift and start volunteering! Experienced volunteers and staff support new volunteers while they learn the ropes.

If you have any specific questions about volunteering, you can contact us.

Other Ways to Help

There’s many other ways to help Bike Edmonton. You can help outside the shops by:

  • taking scrap metal to the recyclers

  • helping at festivals and events

  • joining our Board of Directors

  • helping with advocacy and media work

Please email [email protected] and let us know how you’d like to help beyond our shops .

We distribute awards to community members and volunteers annually! See past recipients and nominate a community member or volunteer here.