About
What Is It?
A nonprofit that collects used bicycles; refurbishes them to safe, reliable condition; and distributes them to refugees and other recent arrivals in Houston who need a way to get to work or school.
Help Needed:
Help repair, maintain, and/or clean donated bikes (instruction provided); help distribute bikes and equipment to refugees. Please contact Freewheels for COVID-related updates; they can accept fewer volunteers and may be only able to accept experienced volunteers.
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
Volunteer mechanics must be high school juniors and seniors, ages 16-18. Volunteers age 12 and up may help clean bikes and perform routine maintenance.
Time Commitment
Work days are usually:
Fridays from 9 AM to noon
Saturdays from 9 AM to noon, and
Mondays from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.
The more you volunteer, the more you are likely to learn about maintaining your bicycle. Please register on the volunteer page.
Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?
Yes. Freewheels schedules work days, including basic training, for youth groups and other organizations. Please email info@freewheelshouston.org to discuss scheduling.
Training Needed
No bike repair expertise needed. “Freewheels will match you with an assignment suitable for your skill level. Bring your curiosity, and one of our knowledgeable volunteers will help you prepare a bike for distribution. We have air-conditioned and un-air-conditioned work areas, so dress comfortably in clothes that may get dirty.”
Volunteers must register on the Freewheels volunteer page.
Help Needed
VOLUNTEER MECHANIC
Freewheels receives donations of bicycles in varying conditions that must be brought to safe and reliable operating condition. We have knowledgeable people who enjoy sharing their skills with people who want to learn how to repair and maintain bikes. Work days are fun and rewarding, and provide an opportunity to learn or sharpen skills that will be useful for years to come. Freewheels provides work stands, tools and an inventory of tubes, tires, and bike parts.
HELP CLEAN BIKES
Help spruce up bikes to make them ready for their new owners. This is especially suitable for younger people and volunteers who are less mechanically inclined but still want to learn some basics and help refugees.
HELP WITH BIKE DISTRIBUTIONS
When Freewheels delivers a bike, it also provides helmets for all riders, and locks, lights, and other safety equipment for most bike recipients. They also offer a brief safety overview and help fit the bike to the recipient. Distributions occur at the warehouse, at resettlement agency offices, and at apartment complexes where refugees live.
Contact Details
Contact
Bill Mintz
Email: info@freewheelshouston.org
Please visit the volunteer page on the FreeWheels website for more information.
Location
FREEWHEELS HOUSTON
Houston, Texas 77081
Location Details
Houston, Texas 77081
The Freewheels warehouse is in Unit 204 at 6020 Jessamine, in the Gulfton area of southwest Houston, a densely populated neighborhood that is home for many refugees and other immigrants.
Additional Information
FreeWheels Houston Video (4 minutes 18 seconds) (2016)
Is the Bike in Your Garage Appropriate for Freewheels Houston? (34 seconds) (2017)
Examples of past Scout projects
Eagle: Adam W. (Troop 727) hosted a drive-through bike collection drive, raised money to buy bike parts, led scouts and volunteers in performing minor repairs to the bikes, and donated them to Freewheels. (2020)
Eagle: John T. (Troop 1940) collected and repaired children’s bikes and donated them to Freewheels. (2019)
Gallery
Leave a Comment