Bikes and free repairs for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Bikes are a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation for individuals challenged with a limited income. A serviceable and safe bike can help empower self-sufficiency by providing individuals agency over their transportation.
Blanchet House is actively engaged in providing resources to community members facing food and housing insecurity, and that includes a monthly free bike clinic. Many of Blanchet House’s meal guests come to the café for a free meal via bike and residents in our supportive housing program also use cycling to get around the city, including commuting to work.
Bike riding is also an activity that brings joy and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
James Stinson enjoys riding his free bike along the Portland waterfront.
James Stinson, a resident of Blanchet House’s transitional shelter program, received a GT Avalanche bike from a recent bike clinic. James is in the process of building a healthier life after experiencing homelessness because of addiction. He’s now employed full-time as a peer support specialist helping people who are in the situation he once was. This kind of work can be emotionally and physically exhausting, so James likes to ride his bike to decompress on his time off.
“Riding my bike is peaceful. I put my headphones on and ride over the Steel Bridge down to the Tillamook Bridge along the waterfront,” shared Stinson. “It’s just me out there not having to talk to anyone for a while. It’s nice.”
About Blanchet House Free Bike Clinics
Free bike clinics are located in the Blanchet House parking lot on the fourth Tuesday of the month, April through August 2023. Clinics are open to anyone who identifies as low-income, houseless, or hunger insecure.
Experienced mechanics from Community Cycling Center and Bikes for Humanity will be on-site to examine and tune up bikes for free. The supplies and equipment needed to make repairs will be included at no cost thanks to funding from ODOT’s Innovative Mobility Program.
Hours
Bikes must be dropped off between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bikes are serviced on a first-come first-served basis, and we cannot promise that everyone will be helped. A pick-up time will be provided by a mechanic at the time of drop-off.
Available Items
- Inner tubes
- Patch kits
- Helmets
- items when available
Bike Resources in Portland
We have also compiled a list of places in Portland where you can find free or affordable bikes, parts, and repairs.
Bike Farm
A do-it-yourself bike shop in NE Portland. Volunteer mechanics also build good quality, affordable bicycles from the used parts in the shop.
www.bikefarm.org | 1810 NE 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97212 | (503) 583-2760
Bikes for Humanity
A nonprofit bike shop that offers free bikes for Portlander’s in need.
www.b4hpdx.org | 3366 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97202 | (503) 496-6941
Bike Works by p:ear
A social purpose enterprise bike shop that provides bike repair. Bike Works also builds pathways for youth, ages 15-25, to end their homelessness by providing meaningful job training opportunities and continuing bike mechanic education.
www.bikeworkspdx.org | 14127 SE Stark St Portland, Oregon 97233 | (971) 867-2965
Community Cycling Center
A full-service bike shop offering a range of services for people who rely on their bicycles for transportation and are living on a low (or no) income.
www.communitycyclingcenter.org | 1700 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 | (503) 287-8786
