Neighborhood Bike Works
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Neighborhood Bike Works | |
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| Type | Nonprofit |
| Founded | July 1999 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Area served | University City, West Philadelphia |
| Key people | Andy Dyson, Executive Director Leland Mayne, President |
| Industry | Youth organizations |
| Employees | Approx. 10 |
| Website | Official Site |
Established in 1999, the Neighborhood Bike Works is a nonprofit educational organization in West Philadelphia. It seeks to increase educational opportunities for urban youth through bicycling.
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[edit] History
Located at Saint Mary's Church (40th and Locust Walk), on the University of Pennsylvania campus, NBW started in 1996 as Youth Cycle & Recycle, a program of The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. It became a separate non-profit in July 1999.
NBW's shop in the Haddington neighborhood at 60th and Vine opened in 2002.
[edit] Activities
Since 1996 NBW has offered classes on bike repair and bike safety after school, on weekends, and in the summer. Students complete a 7-week basic bicycle repair class, fixing up used bikes donated by the community. Upon completion, they earn this bike for themselves, together with a helmet and lock. This provides a positive activity for young people and introduces them to cycling. The key to its success has been through mentoring and positive role models.
A dedicated staff of workers and volunteers maintain the efficient operation of the two bike shops and associated programs. Many past participants have remained involved, improving their skills while earning credits used to buy parts and accessories. Since its inception, NBW has taught hundreds of children of all ages the keys to proper bicycle maintenance and safety.
[edit] Achievements
- Since 1999, over 800 students, 250 in the past year, have earned at least 1000 bicycles.
- NBW supporters have donated more than 5000 bikes — equal to 100 tons of useful stuff saved from local landfills.
- Approximately 2000 helmets have been distributed to Philadelphia's young people (not just NBW students).[1]
- In 2002, Neighborhood Bike Works received a Waste Watchers Award for its environmental stewardship from the Pennsylvanian Department of Environmental Protection.[2]
[edit] In The News
For its unique approach to community development, Neighborhood Bike Works has garnered press coverage in The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily Pennsylvanian, Comcast Network, and a number of smaller local news sources.
Money Matters Today, a production of The Comcast Network (CN8) recently profiled NBW.
Below is a selection of recent media coverage.
- Mending Bikes and Social Divides. The Daily Pennsylvanian. March 28, 2006.
- Service Marks MLK Day. Metro, Philadelphia. January 17, 2006.
- Strohmenger, Richard. Spinning Toward Success: Youth Find Refuge in Bikes. The Daily Pennsylvanian. March 19, 2004.
- Carey, Art. Young People Learn the Power of Bicycling. The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 4, 2000.
[edit] See also
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[edit] External links
- NeighborhoodBikeWorks.org, Official Site.
- Neighborhood Bike Works Bike Part Art Show, Annual benefit exhibition of local art created from used bicycle parts.
- Money Matters Today segment on Neighborhood Bike Works, Profiling Neighborhood Bike Works's success in youth development.
- Neighborhood Bike Works is at coordinates Coordinates:
