So one Sunday, I'm doing my weekend ride near downtown San Francisco. I start traveling Southeast of Van Ness and I wind up on 18th and Florida where I spot a place called Bike Kitchen. I slowly pedal towards the place when I see some guy fiddling around inside. As I spy through the window, I can see that he is already headed towards the door to greet me. "Hello there!" he says, "May I help you?". I told him that I was just passing through, but I really was curious about the purpose of this place.

This guy then explains to me that the purpose of the Bike Kitchen is to provide the knowledge and skill of bicycle repair to all San Franciscans who are members of the Bike Kitchen of San Francisco, free of charge. If they are not members, all they have to do is pay a work-fee of five bucks and they will be assisted or guided through the independent repair of their own bicycles.

If they cannot afford to pay for membership or cannot afford the five bucks work-fee, all they have to do is volunteer for six hours in order to become members. Then they can fix their own bikes right there with the assistance of real bicycle mechanics.

Furthermore, if they don't have a bicycle, they can volunteer for an additional six hours and actually build a bicycle from donated bicycles that have been retired from use. All they have to do is select a bicycle frame along with all its varied components from the assorted pile of frames and components, donated for recycling.

What a great opportunity for all aspiring cyclists!

Kudos to the Bike Kitchen!

Yup =) We have that in Los Angeles too and we're always trying to get awareness, and funding!

and one in Sacramento

There's a good article about just such establishments in the current issue of Bicycle Times.

It's called a co-op, they are great if you have one nearby.

Wow, I never heard of this place.
I am going to head by the end of the weekend and check it out.

Thanks for the find, and posting about it.

"funding"?

somehow i saw their website! awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome.

denver (colorado) has a similar co-op: de-railers bike co-operative at 4th and lipan.