We Can Help: Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop

We Can Help is a feature here at Bird on a Wire where we spotlight a community organization and tell you how you can help.

Kyle Wagenschutz first came to Revolutions in 2006 because he was in need of a bicycle. He went through the membership program, built his first bicycle, and stuck around long enough to eventually be put in charge of the whole program. 

Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop is a ministry of First Congregational Church that provides affordable and reliable bicycles to all Memphians.  Members repair their own bicycles with the assistance of volunteer mechanics that have received training and experience in professional bicycle shops.

To access the parts, tools and mechanics at Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop you must be a member of the shop. A basic Annual Membership requires 10 hours of volunteer service at Revolutions during their open shop hours. Volunteer time is spent learning how to use wrenches, improving the shop facilities, and organizing inventory. After completing 10 hours of service at the bike shop, membership candidates make a $40 donation. 10 hours of service and a $40 donation are the only two requirements for an Annual Membership.  
A membership at Revolutions features the following benefits:

• Members can select a basic bike frame from the inventory of used  bikes.
• Members will assemble their bicycle at Revolutions Community Bicycle Shop with the help of a trained and experienced bicycle mechanic.
• Membership provides three initial appointments for work stand time. Most bicycles can be constructed during three sessions.
• All the recycled bike parts required to assemble one bicycle come along with the annual membership. Any replacement parts for one bicycle are covered by the annual membership.
• Membership covers the cost of shop materials including cables and housing, lubricants and degreasers, recycled replacement parts, and work stand time (by appointment) for a period of one year.
• Members are entitled to make any additional appointments to repair their bicycles on any of the open shop days for the duration of their annual membership.

Aside from becoming members of Revolutions, readers can donate old bikes, bike parts, tools, and anything else that might be useful in a bike shop. Drop off your donations during open shop hours, or contact Revolutions to schedule a time that works for you (revolutionsbikeshop@gmail.com). They accept all types of cycling materials, but if you have a question about your donation, please don’t hesitate to contact them. All donations are tax deductible.

Want to tell us about how we can help your organization? Email sgreenberg@mlgw.org.