El Salvador

On May 15th 2010, volunteers at Working Bikes Cooperative loaded a container of bicycles destined for their partner in El Salvador. These bikes have already been received in El Salvador and are being distributed.

The container was loaded with 496 bicycles and parts delivered to the Salvadoran American Humanitarian Foundation http://www.sahf.org/

Working Bikes Cooperative primary mission is to improve the lives of people living in developing nations around the world.

On Saturday July 10 we will load another container destined for El Salvador. Please come and help us.

Bike Machines

When Working Bikes ships bicycles to people in developing countries they are used in two different ways: as transportation, and to harness energy.

A bike machine uses pedal power to produce energy. Having bike machines as a tool makes life much easier for people who don't have electricity.

Bike machines can be used to: pump water from a well, purify that water, grind up grain, power a stereo (or any other electronic that requires the use of a plug i.e. blender, television, sewing machine, coffee maker, toaster oven) the list is endless!

Working Bikes has a plethora of these machines on display at our warehouse.

Here, they are used as fun educational tools. Pedaling a bicycle in order to blend your coffee drink is a great way to understand the lifestyle of people who benefit from donating a bike.

Then, you can consider what life would be like without bike machines as an energy harnessing tool (much more difficult).

Working Bikes presented this novel idea at Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in Custer, Wisconsin two weeks ago. While there the EE Times (Electronic Engineering Times) took our picture-twice!

Check them out here. And, visit the storefront to test one out for your self!

Volunteer at Working Bikes

Working Bikes Cooperative is run by volunteers. There are a small number of paid staff people but nearly everyone you will meet at Working Bikes is a volunteer.

We have a lot of functions to fill. Volunteers run the bike shop; attend outreach events where we publicize the mission; pick up bicycles from people who support our activities; respond to email; and more. If you want to volunteer, Working Bikes will find a way to use your talents to achieve the goals.

The best way to get involved is to visit Working Bikes when the shop is open (Wednesday 12PM-7PM, Saturday 10AM-5PM) or on Volunteer night (Tuesday 5PM-9PM) and talk with the volunteers.

Recently the Green Festival was held at Navy Pier. Ten volunteers ran the Working Bikes booth and talked to those to stopped by. In the photo, Eric Wood, a long time volunteer and member of the Board of Directors of Working Bikes Cooperative, demonstrates on of the Bike Machines.

Working Bikes is located at 2434 S. Western Avenue in Chicago at the SW corner of 24th Place and Western Avenue.

Fundraiser at Simones

The good folks at Simones are holding a fundraiser this evening for Working Bikes Cooperative.

Wednesday June 16 , 2010

6PM-Midnight

Simone's Bar

960 W 18th Street

Chicago 60608