volunteer
How to Volunteer with US
1. come by the shop
We welcome volunteers of any age, skill level, and background, and have lots of resources to help get you started! First, please drop in to a weekly Thursday Volunteer Night from 6 - 8 PM. You’ll get to see the shop, meet other volunteers in the program, and assist with a first task!
Volunteers under 16 years of age are then asked to attend shifts with a guardian or for one of our Tuesday or Thursday evening shifts, 6 - 8 PM, where we don’t have the same age restrictions.
2. SET UP A VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Setting up a volunteer profile will help us get to know you a little better and get you plugged into the best fit based on your skillset!
3. SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT
Now that you have a profile you can sign up for any shift that matches your interests and availability. Come volunteer to make new friends, learn new skills, and make a huge difference in your community - all while having some fun doing it!
Our Biggest Volunteer Need
In Shop Volunteers!
Our programs are slowly coming back online at BBP, and we are looking for volunteer mechanics and donation support volunteers as we set out into a new year!
No experience is needed to get started at our shop - we are happy to orient you in the space when you arrive for your first shift, as long as you sign up ahead of time using the link below to let us know to plan on you.
types of volunteer positions
Drop in Teen Program (Ages 12-17)
Learn basic bike repair. Make friends. Work on bikes with other teens.
Every Thursday, 4 - 6 PM
A weekly session where you can build skills, earn volunteer hours, and get comfortable working in the shop with no long-term commitment required. You’ll help refurbish bikes for kids in the community while learning mechanics along the way.
No need to sign up - just show up!
VOLUNTEER NIGHTS
Our most social volunteer opportunities are our weekly Volunteer Nights
This is a great shift for volunteers looking for a regular community meet-up to assist with the shop’s most pressing needs. This could look like setting up for a bike giveaway, preparing for a special event, or offering free repairs to kids in the community.
Our volunteers take on different projects every week, but since the shop is closed our staff can be more attentive. This is another great opportunity for new volunteers to get oriented in our programs and to practice new skills.
in-shop volunteer opportunities
People can volunteer in our shop during business hours in two ways.
Volunteer mechanics help refurbish bikes to give away with our programs. BBP donates ~1,600 bikes a year to adults & kids lacking transportation to school, work, etc.
Donation support volunteers assist in our warehouse as bikes are donated - helping to identify which bikes can be safely refurbished and recycling bike components from the ones that can’t be fixed. This is a good opportunity for those looking to build bike mechanic skills.
MOBILE FIX-IT REPAIRS
Volunteers and staff visit different schools, apartment complexes, or community centers every week to provide free bike repairs for kids. Most of these repairs are very simple and easy to learn on the spot- along the lines of adjusting brakes, shifting, or repairing a popped tube.
There’s almost nothing as immediately gratifying as teaching a kid how to fix their broken bike and seeing their excitement when they get to ride again!
Community Events and Membership Program
We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities, particularly at events we organize or participate in publicly. Whether it's tabling at breweries and beer festivals or supporting advocacy campaigns around town, we engage in a variety of events annually.
Volunteers can contribute in various ways, such as repairing bikes, distributing information about our programs, assisting with equipment transportation, setup, and more.
And, for our membership program we are always looking for volunteers to assist with administrative tasks at the shop such as mailing renewal notices and benefit coupons to BBP members.
Adaptive Bike Rides and Races
Join us for a three-day celebration of Adaptive Mountain Biking!
Boise Bicycle Project is partnering with the Idaho Challenged Athletes Foundation for their 6th annual Mountain Bike Apex Weekend event . . . one of the biggest gatherings of adaptive bike riders in the country!
The event includes beginner clinics for riders who have never ridden before, intermediate/ advanced clinics for riders hoping to up their game, and group rides for those who just want to spend some time off the pavement exploring the Boise Foothills and Bogus Basin. BBP Volunteers will assist either as support riders on group rides / races or as course marshals helping to direct traffic and assist riders.
Volunteers do not need to be on adaptive bikes, but instead ready to familiarize themself with the bike trails being used and able to assist riders that lose traction on steep climbs or experience similar challenges.