History
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (SVBE) began in 1993 repairing bicycles for clients of the Mountain View Community Services Agency (MVCSA). In 2007, the SVBE became a program of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and developed partnerships to donate bicycles and helmets to more than a dozen organizations throughout Silicon Valley, California. Throughout its operation, the SVBE has maintained a strong educational component, teaching bicycle repair skills to hundreds of volunteers while refurbishing bikes to donate to charity. The SVBE accepts volunteers on a walk-in basis and also hosts volunteer groups from a range of service organizations such as One Brick and Silicon Valley Volunteers nearly every work day. In 2012, the SVBE donated over 600 bicycles to over a dozen regional non-profit social service agencies and governmental entities that were all serviced at its work days. In 2012, the SVBE also began organizing bicycle safety classes for bicycle recipients.
Specialties
We'd love to get you a new (pre-owned) ride with one of our many fully-tuned, refurbished used bikes. We also have cycling essentials like spare tubes, tires, helmets, chain lube, and tools. SVBE is also the ideal place for you to donate your unused bikes. We'll take your used hybrid, mountain bike, or road bike. High-end bikes are especially appreciated as they help us afford parts for all our bike donations. During non-pandemic times, we meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. During these unusual times, we'd love experienced mechanics as at-home volunteers. The SVBE repairs and donates bicycles to underprivileged recipients while teaching bicycle repair skills to our volunteers. You can donate your old bike for a tax deduction, and join us to learn how to fix bikes. We also sell some of our refurbished bikes, so if you are in the market for a good used bike, come to one of our workdays.