Free Cycles

The goal of Free Cycles is to help Western Montana transition to a sustainable transportation system while simultaneously setting a strong example for other places. Free Cycles provides bicycles, parts, tools, work space, and help for a healthy community. Our programs focus on re-purposing unused bicycles to reduce pollution and increase freedom, empowerment and social change. Our community shop space is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm. This is a free service, yet donations are appreciated. We provide the tools, parts, and knowledge to help you work on your bicycle. Open Shop is all about teaching and assisting people with repair skills so they can fix their own bicycle. A mixture of staff and volunteers are available to assist you in diagnosing and fixing whatever may be ailing your two wheeled friend. Flat tires, wobbly wheels, squeaky brakes or loose headsets- we've got you covered. Stands and work space are available on a first come first serve basis. Open Shop is also a time when anyone can come volunteer and participate in Free Cycles fun. Since 1996, over 220,000 people have come through our doors. Over the years Free Cycles has coordinated and facilitated over 220 outreach events with local schools and organizations. Youth Cycles puts tools in kids' hands, sparks an interest in bikes, and emphasizes the world of helping others. The program serves approximately 600 youth each year. Currently kids ten and under can receive a free bicycle anytime our community shop is open, Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Kids ages 11 and older can earn a bicycle by taking a BikeWell class and volunteering 1.5 service hours at our shop. Please contact Emily at programs@strans.org if you are interested in setting up a field trip, class, or workshop under the Youth Cycles program. Build-a-Bike is exactly what it sounds like. Using our massive amount of donated used parts and frames, you can build yourself a bike. This program helps you with every aspect of what it takes to build and maintain a bike, and how every piece of the bike works together. From the ground up, the only limit to your new bike is your imagination and the current supplies in the shop. After taking our BikeWell class and volunteering 1.5 hours of your time*, either a staff or volunteer will work with you and start helping you dream up your new ride. Build-A-Bike invites you to join the adventure of bringing a bike back to life, regardless of previous knowledge or experience. Over time, approximately 20,000 people have built free bikes through Free Cycles.