Mission
Reno Bike Project (RBP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community bicycle shop and advocacy group committed to creating a nationally recognized, cycling-friendly community through advocacy, education, and cooperation in the Truckee Meadows.
Reno Bike Project achieves its mission by:
- Making cycling more accessible to the public through recycling and recirculation of used bikes into the community at affordable prices.
- Encouraging self-sufficiency by holding bike mechanics workshops and by providing a space for community members to repair their own bicycles rather than incur maintenance costs.
- Encourage bicycle activism by promoting and producing cycling related events for a variety of audiences.
- Advocating for cycling rights and cycling growth in the Truckee Meadows by working with public officials and other organizations that are key players in transportation planning.
- Complementing other local groups to encourage youth safety and cycling-related arts and culture, and contributing to Reno’s continual growth as a diverse and vibrant community.
- Keeping an open mind to all cycling needs and ideas and helping to facilitate positive growth.
History
Noah Silverman and Kyle Kozar founded Reno Bike Project (RBP) in October 2006 with the mission of getting people onto bicycles. An intrinsically young organization, 26-year-old Silverman and 23-year-old Kozar amassed a large group of volunteers in their mid-to-late twenties to solicit donated bicycles to be fixed up and made available to the public. On November 18, 2006 RBP hosted its first event — “Bike-Out or Strike-Out.” The day-long celebration of urban cycling culture gave RBP an opportunity to be highly visible in the community and raise people’s awareness of bicycle use. Responding to the enthusiasm for alternative transportation, a small shop was set up in a basement for volunteers to congregate and repair bicycles. Over time, RBP continued to solidify, growing its volunteer base, increasing bike donations, incorporating with the State of Nevada, finding fiscal sponsorship, and continuing in its grassroots community outreach campaign.
Throughout the subsequent four years Reno Bike Project moved into four different locations in an effort to find the perfect shop headquarters. RBP’s current and permanent home is located at 541 E. 4th St. and is open to the public roughly 40 hours a week. It has gained non-profit 501(c)(3) status and diversified its funding resources which allowed for growth in our advocacy, education and philanthropic efforts. RBP hosts several annual events promoting cycling and cycling culture which include We heART Bikes Art Show, Bike to Work Day Pancake Feed and an annual Bike Swap in addition to providing a Bike Valet at various events that are open to the public.
Since our inception in 2006, RBP has grown from a basement operation to a full cycling community center and advocacy group. We are constantly striving to achieve our mission of getting more people on bikes, and last year alone we distributed over 1,000 bikes back into the community through our shop and various programs. We have public workstations that provide affordable access to the tools and expertise cyclists need to maintain their own bikes, and our customers logged over 1,000 hours of workstation time in the past year. Our educational programs includes two weekly workshops that are free to the public and staffed by RBP employees and volunteers who love to teach people about cycling and keep them riding year round.
RBP has forged many valuable community partnerships to increase our influence in the area. We work with the Office of Traffic Safety, local police departments, and many other non-profits and cycling advocacy groups. All of our hard work has had a measurable impact in the Truckee Meadows. Recently, the Regional Transportation Commission included RBP and our programs in its application to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Along with other local organizations and businesses, we are making the Truckee Meadows a more bicycle friendly place and none of these accomplishments could have been possible without ongoing community support and encouragement.
