Gearin’ Up Bicycles’ purpose is to create career development opportunities and teach essential workplace skills to youth from under-served communities, while encouraging cycling as a practical, healthy means of transportation. Gearin’ Up provides access to quality, affordable, used bicycles for those in need and hosts various community outreach programs throughout the year. Our community-focused organization focuses on four pillars to achieve our mission:
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Job Training
The foundation of all of Gearin’ Up Bicycles’ programs is a bicycle mechanics technical training program through which youth acquire experience and skills that yield meaningful employment.
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Refurbished Bicycles
Trained youth mechanics rescue and refurbish abandoned and unwanted bicycles to prepare them for sale and to support workforce development initiatives.
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Experiential Education
People of all ages become empowered cyclists through bicycle maintenance and safety education from Gearin’ Up Bicycles’ youth mechanics and staff. Our programs include youth bike nights, rides, adult education, and paid youth internships.
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Community Engagement
DC residents participate in year-round activities to become engaged city cyclists, including youth bicycle clinics hosted in underserved areas and the DC Bike Swap hosted by Gearin’ Up Bicycles.
Organization History
Gearin’ Up was founded in 2012 and modeled on a successful nonprofit in Wisconsin. The first shop opened on Bladensburg Road in 2013 and received an immediate, positive response from youth and community members. The success of the first outdoor location led Gearin’ Up to expand service from three to six days a week and move to a permanent indoor location at 314 Randolph Place NE in 2014. After 7 great years in Eckington, Gearin’ Up moved to 1811 Rhode Island Ave NE, a 3300 square foot location near the Woodridge Library and Chuck Brown Memorial Park, in order to reach more underserved youth and have the capacity to serve more DC residents in need of bicycle repairs.