DON'T FORGET TO EXPLORE THE RECYCLE SHOP
IT BEGAN WITH A MINIVAN...
AND WE NEVER
STOPPED ROLLING.
HOLLY TERRILL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leads Bike Walk Wichita with vision and strategy, working alongside the board, staff, and community to keep Wichita moving safely and joyfully.
CODY CUSTER
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Designs and coordinates programs that empower people of all ages and abilities to learn bike mechanics, and roll with confidence.
MAX BARBER
SHOP SUPERVISOR
Oversees our community bike shop, ensuring quality refurbishments, volunteer mechanic engagement, and access to ready-to-roll bicycles for all ages.
KEVIN GEHRER
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Builds relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and members to sustain and grow the impact of Bike Walk Wichita.
JASON HAVELY
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Connects people to our mission through storytelling, while also helping design and map safe, welcoming bike ride routes.
THE RECYCLE SHOP | A TIMELINE
SPRING 2015
THE QUESTION WAS ASKED.
The question "What are we doing to help people who need their bikes for everyday transportation?" was asked during a Bike Walk Wichita board meeting.
Alan Kailer stepped forward and offered to begin emulating what he had seen done in Austin Tx with the Yellow Bike Project.
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SUMMER 2015
ReCYCLE WAS BORN.
Bike Walk Wichita launches ReCycle, built on a simple ideal: bicycle transportation and repairs should not be limited or hindered for any person.
Operating out of the back of his van, Alan would drive to shelters and service providers and provide no-cost repairs to those who needed them.
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SUMMER 2015
OPENING DOORS.
The first place he visited was Open Door, a homeless shelter located in Wichita, and asked them: "What do you need the most?"
The staff and clients responded in one voice: accessible bicycle repair and resources to keep everyone rolling.
FALL 2015
THE QUESTION WAS ASKED.
Actively look for the person or people in crosswalks, roads, sidewalks, parks, and anywhere in and around the direction you are headed.
THE RECYCLE SHOP | A TIMELINE
SPRING 2015
THE QUESTION WAS ASKED.
"What are we doing to help people who need their bikes for everyday transportation?" was asked during a Bike Walk Wichita board meeting.
Our volunteers stepped forward and offered to emulate what they had seen done in Austin, TX, with the Yellow Bike Project and Salt Lake City's Bicycle Collective.
SUMMER 2015
ReCYCLE WAS BORN.
Bike Walk Wichita launches ReCycle, built on a simple ideal: bicycle transportation and repairs should not be limited or hindered for any person.
Operating out of the back of a minivan, our volunteers would drive to shelters and service providers and offer no-cost repairs to those who needed them.
SUMMER 2015
IN THE HEART OF NEED.
The first place visited was Open Door, a homeless shelter located in Wichita, and we asked them: "What do you need the most?"
The staff and clients responded similarly: accessible bicycle repair and resources to keep everyone rolling.
FALL 2015
DO YOU HAVE BIKES TO GIVE OUT?
The more we served the community the more we were asked, "Do you have bikes available?"
We didn't, but then people asked if we would accept donations and they came pouring in.
SUMMER 2015
ReCYCLE'S IMPACT MAKES THE NEWS.
A news story was aired about the impact of ReCycle's efforts on the streets.
This led to a beautiful problem... we had more bikes being donated for repair than we had the space for. (Story Here)
FALL 2015
PARTNERSHIPS BEGIN...
After the story was out, we were approached by the WPD Homeless Outreach team (HOT Team), Goodwill, and other organizations to find out how we can all better serve the community.
Goodwill Industries offered to provide their surplus bicycles for us to refurbish. Goodwill still supports us this way.
LATE FALL 2015
$100 GOES A LONG WAY.
Our volunteers were hungry for more, bikes were coming in, and we were growing; we needed a space of our own.
BWW + ReCycle found a 1-room office space for $100 a month, and so began the origins of the formal BWW HQ and ReCycle Shop space.
Spring 2017
WE KEPT GROWING.
Years passed and the office grew to be the main floor of the space. We had now partnered with over 15 other Non-Profits, and looked to our next move.
From a small office and pure grassroots tenacity, we started the long journey to finding our next home.
FALL 2021
WELCOME TO THE 325.
A volunteer turned Board Member phoned a friend, and the rumor of a space in downtown perfect for us went from a dream to a reality.
The new home of BWW + The ReCycle Shop had been found and we began the long process of getting settled in.
SPRING 2025
ReCYCLE REBUILT.
Following a year where we fully stretched our wings and donated back over 1100 bicycles, counted over 6400 volunteer hours, and impacted far too many lives to count. We wanted to share our story.
We launched this digital home as the first step into making an even wider national impact. We invite you to ride along!
"
Instructors were fabulous! Gave clear instructions along with demonstrations that were easily understood and helped us repeat on our bikes how to do things.
I cannot say enough good things about the teachers and class!!
"
GEORGE KELLY | BASIC MECHANICS COURSE
BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL RECYCLE VOLUNTEER
01
HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN
The shop is open to any and all with only one true requirement: You must be willing to learn.
Bicycles at their core are simple machines, learning how to repair them is fun but is not without challenges.
02
NO SIGN UP NEEDED
We do not require any type of pre-registration or formal sign-up.
The goal is to remove as many barriers to volunteering as possible and create a safe space for everyone to make a difference.
03
CALL BEFORE YOUR FIRST TIME
While no sign-up is needed, we do operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
We can only orient as many people as we have Coordinators (technically trained and experienced volunteers)on the floor.
04
COMPLETE A 1-ON-1 ORIENTATION
While there are other volunteer options in the shop, the majority are bicycle repair-related. For first timers with the shop, you need to complete an orientation with one of our Coordinators.
You will go through a checklist covering bicycle repair at your own pace to make sure you are comfortable in repairing bicycles.
The orientation takes about 1.5 hours so please plan for that time.
05
VOLUNTEER AWAY!
After your orientation you are welcome to return at any time with no need for 1-on-1 support and we will answer any questions you have as they come up.
We can't wait to see you in the shop!
06
BECOMING A COORDINATOR
For those interested in progressing their skills and support in the shop, you may be eligible to become a Coordinator.
Coordinators have completed 50 hours of volunteer time, exemplify the heart of the shop, can competently teach the checklist, and have a genuine love of supporting all others
Coodinators care about bikes, but they care about people more.
WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED THEIR BIKES EVERYDAY FOR TRANSPORTATION?
This question started our journey from the back of a minivan to a full shop with over 10 workstations, hundreds of volunteers, and too many lives impacted to count.
We are forever grateful for every soul that made and makes this possible and this is how we got to where we are.
WHO WE ARE
BIKE JAMS & ON-SITE YOUTH EDUCATION
Our Bike Jam events provide bicycle safety education by giving kids a safe and secure place to practice riding and improve their bike handling skills by overcoming a range of challenges.
These fun events allow kids to learn how to be better cyclists, whether they are young sidewalk riders or are hitting the road to get places like school.
Our Bike Jams use specifically designed elements to teach bicycle handling, road safety, confidence in riding, the rules of the road, and can be transported to any location with enough outdoor space to safely set up the training course at different sizes.
Please reach out to us if you are interested in bringing one of our Bikes Jams to your organization or facility.
