The Charlottesville Community Bicycle Shop is a non-profit used bicycle shop that works with Virginia Organizing to promote environmentally-sound transportation, recycle bicycles, and make cycling accessible in Charlottesville, VA. They are located at 612C Preston. As a non-profit shop, they are volunteer-based with limited hours. Generally they are open to the public 2-5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, however please check their schedule on our website before showing up! They close on holidays and if they cannot find volunteers to staff that day.
All of their bicycles are used and have been donated from private organizations and people, like you! If you’re thinking of donating a bicycle, please take into account that while they’d love to accept any bike, department-store quality bikes are usually unsafe and mechanically inferior. They often strip these bikes for parts and recycle the frame.
They sell bicycles at three main price points: $30, $60, or $90. Most of these bicycles are in some state of disrepair, and their volunteers can help you fix these bikes up with their parts that to be safe and ready to ride. If you need a part they don’t have, they’ll be happy to recommend a bicycle shop in town that would carry what you’re looking for. All of their parts have nominal fees.
Community Bikes also allows access to bike-stand space and tools for a suggested $5/hour donation. This is a great chance to learn how to change a flat tube, make shifting or brake adjustments, or if you just can’t figure out what’s wrong with your bike. They’ll certainly give you a hand.
All of the money they receive goes to paying rent and some shop managers. The space, utilities, and parts alone cost us over $800 a month. They greatly appreciate any monetary donation you can give.
The best way to stay in the loop with Community Bikes is to sign up for their email list to be notified of shop events, volunteer possibilities, and bike-related news in Charlottesville. You can reach them via email: cville.community.bikes@gmail.com
