Q: and A:
Please read the Q and A below before emailing or calling us. This helps cut down on common questions that our volunteers have to answer. Our email and phone number is at the bottom of the page. -Thanks!
Shop Use
Q: Do I need to contact anyone at Yellow Bike before showing up to use the shop or volunteer?
A: No, Just show up and talk to the coordinator at the shop and they will get you started. The hours on the website are always up to date and the best way to find out if we are open. For more information on volunteering, check our Volunteer page.
We take being at our shop during the scheduled hours on the website VERY seriously. Unfortunately, on a rare occasion something unexpected happens, preventing us from opening the shop during our scheduled times. For these occasions we apologize, but ask that you not email us about our hours and instead trust the website. Thanks!
Q: Does it cost anything to use the shop?
A: No and Yes, we provide a community bike shop space where anyone can come and learn to fix their bike from experienced volunteers. The services we provide are supported entirely by volunteer time, bike donations, and monetary donations.
We don’t require a fee to use the shop, but we do require that you volunteer time equal to the time you used the shop for personal reasons. This ensures that your community bike shop will better off than you found it. If you are unable to volunteer time we suggest a $5/hr donation for usage of the shop, independent of any donations that you made during your visit for parts (read more about ways to give back).
Bikes and Bike Parts
Q: My bike is broken and I need a particular part – Do you have it at Yellow Bike? Is there someone I can ask?
A: Donated parts come and go so quickly at YBP that we cannot say if we have a specific part, but we do have most used parts for bikes that are at least 10 years old, and some parts for newer bikes. This includes a large selection of parts and frames for just about anything made between the 1960′s-2000 including road, mountain, cruiser, BMX, and kids’ bikes. If you are looking for a specific part, just bring your bike or broken part and come by the shop during open hours to look through the parts bins.
Q: How much will the part I need cost?
A: When you find a used part in our shop that you want, talk to a coordinator to negotiate a price. Prices for parts are very reasonable and MUCH cheaper than buying the part new.
Q: Does Yellow Bike have any new parts?
A: Yes, we have a limited selection of essential new parts: tires, tubes, chains, cables, housing, bearings, locks, and lights. If you are looking for a large selection from which to choose you should visit one of Austin’s fine retail bike shops.
Q: What kind of bike do I get when I finish my Earn-a-Bike repairs?
A: You get to pick from any incomplete and unclaimed bike in the shop. We have all kinds of bikes to choose from including road bikes, mountain bikes, cruisers, and kids’ bikes. (read more) You can build up your selected bike out of used parts for free; since we have to buy them, we do charge for any new parts you might need.
Volunteering
Q: Are Volunteer Shops the only times that you can Volunteer?
A: No, You can volunteer anytime the shop is open (view schedule). We always welcome volunteers.
Q: I don’t know anything about fixing bikes. Can I still volunteer?
A: Absolutely! Our mission is to educate people in bike repair. Shop coordinators are always present to guide you through bike repair and answer any questions you might have. Please be aware that open shops are very busy, so you will need to exercise patience and be able to work with minimal supervision to learn during an open shop. For those who need more help than an open shop offers, we periodically offer enrollment-only classes. Stay tuned to the newsletter to get the inside line on our next class offering.
Q: Do I need to contact anyone at Yellow Bike before showing up to use the shop or volunteer?
A: No, Just show up and talk to a coordinator at the shop and they will get you started. The hours on the website are always up to date and the best way to find out if we are open. For more information on volunteering, check our Volunteer page.
We take being at our shop during the scheduled hours on the website VERY seriously. On a rare occasion, something unexpected happens, preventing us from opening the shop during our scheduled times. For these occasions we apologize, but ask that you not email us about our hours and instead trust the website. Thanks!
Q: Is there anything else I can do besides fix bikes to help out?
A: YES! Yellow bike is entirely run by volunteers. That means that volunteers do everything from cleaning and organizing the shop to organizing events, making fliers, taking pictures at events, answering emails, ordering tools and creating this FAQ. Just stop by during a shop and talk to one of the Coordinators if you have a particular way you think you can help us out.
Donating Bikes or Parts
Q: I have a bike to donate but it is old an rusty, do you still want it?
A: YES! We take bikes in any condition. A bike might look bad but fix up nicely. At Yellow Bike we put bikes to their proper use whether it is to be reconditioned, parted out, or recycled.
Q: I have a bike to donate, but can’t bring it to the shop. Can someone from YBP come pick it up?
A: Sorry, but we do not have the resources to offer pick up services at this time.
Q: I am looking for a part for my bike and have parts that I want to donate to Yellow Bike; can we trade?
A: We can accept your donated parts and find a new home for them, and we can help you find new parts. We don’t do trades for parts, but rather ask for a small donation. This helps us keep our free community bike shop stocked with grease and tools for all to use, and supports our various community programs. Talk to the coordinator running the shop if you feel that you have a special case.
If you still want to trade parts check out Frankenbike: The Ultimate Swap Meet that meets regularly in Austin.
What are Yellow Bikes?
Q: Is building and releasing Yellow Bikes the only thing that Yellow Bike does?
A: No! We have been around since 1997, and over the years have evolved into an organization that puts much more energy into education efforts (serving hundreds of people per week by teaching them bike repair and maintenance in our community shops) and programs aimed at getting bikes to kids or adults in need. Nowadays we see the releasing Yellow Bikes more as a by product of what we do. At The Yellow Bike Project this is how we see it:
A) We have an excess of donated bikes in poor condition that no one would pay for even if fixed up.
B) There are lots of volunteers that are eager to learn to repair and maintain bikes.
C) There are many people either in need of transportation who will benefit from finding a Yellow Bike OR people who haven’t ridden a bike in years who might find a Yellow Bike and have it spark their interest in riding again!
D) All of the above: Yellow Bikes! (correct answer!)
Q: Why do I never see Yellow Bikes on the street?
A: Truth-be-told many of the Yellow Bikes that we release end up being taken by an individual as a personal bike. Although this is not aligned with our stated purpose of releasing community bikes to ride but not to own, we realize that those willing to ride a bike hand painted yellow are very much in need. If you look closely around town you will find that many of the Yellow Bikes end up painted gray or some other color to mask the yellow paint job that we give. Our ultimate intent is to make bicycle transportation available to all and especially those in need, so seeing a gray bike in use still brings a smile to our faces.
Court Ordered Community Service
Q: Can I do CSR (Community Service Restitution) hours at Yellow Bike?
A: Yes, anyone is welcome to do their court-ordered community service hours at our shop. You are responsible for keeping track of your hours, remembering to get your court-issued paperwork signed, and keeping yourself busy and productive at the shop. We’d love to see you there!
Q: Do CSR hours count towards earning a bike?
A: No, we require that you finish your court hours before beginning the Earn-a-Bike program.
Special Requests
Q: Does Yellow Bike ever do special shops for youth, scout groups, school groups, or after-school programs?
A: Yes, special shops can be arranged. We can only do a special shop if there are adequate volunteers available to run the shop. The best way to propose a special shop is to ask the group at our Collective Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm.
Q: I’m under 16, can I still use the shop?
A: Youth under 16 are welcome in the shop, but most of our shops require a parent or responsible adult present with you. In some cases kids under 16 have been allowed to use the shop unsupervised after proving that they are responsible and capable of working without direct supervision, and we try to offer at least one all-ages shop per week where unsupervised youth can use the shop.
Still Can’t Find Your Answer
Email anytime: austinyellowbike@gmail.com
Phone: (512) -524-5299 – We are available by phone ONLY during open hours at our Webberville shop location.