QC Bike Collective is organized as a community bike shop to provide Manchester area residents the ability to ride safe, affordable bicycles and have the opportunity to fix them.
Our goal is to provide our patrons with hands on skill building to do bicycle repairs and maintenance themselves, in an educative and supportive environment. Our vision is a Manchester full of bike riders who can depend on their bicycle for transportation and recreation, because of the educational and affordable services we provide.
Currently these services include:
Open Shop – (this is our primary activity and the initial reason for creating the collective) where the public is welcomed into our space to repair their bicycles using our tools, parts, and technical expertise. This work is supported by the City of Manchester, Planning and Community Development Community Improvement Plan funds, Queen City Rotary, Kiwanis Club of Manchester, bike sales and cash donations. We also offer free and/or reduced price lights, locks and helmets at Open Shop.
Build-a-Bike – where participants in a small, closed setting, work hands-on to build a bike from the ground-up for them to take home. Currently this program is in partnership with Sununu Youth Services Center as part of selected youth’s re-entry program.
Earn-a-Bike – In partnership with the Manchester Health Department & Granite United Way we provide two Manchester schools with ~150 bike, helmet, lights & lock packages. The bike packages are given as awards for academic and leadership excellence.
Bike sales – Bikes are donated to us by Manchester Police Department, Manchester Solid Waste Division, Central NH Bicycling Coalition, local bike shops and many individuals. Bike drives are an important source of donated bicycles. Our first choice is to refurbish the bike, but if it’s beyond repair, we use it for parts. We take care to ensure that every donated bike is re-purposed or recycled responsibly.
Volunteer training and community building – QC Bike provides a space for people to work together, many of whom might not otherwise interact. This important aspect of our work is currently supported by NH Charitable Foundation and Bean Foundation, other small grants and cash donations.
Open Air Bike Repair – a new partnership with Manchester Parks and Recreation will allow us offer bike repair support services to younger children as part of their day at Fun-in-the-Sun summer recreational programming.