Thank you for considering a contribution of your time and energy to the Community Cycling Center. Volunteers play a huge role in everything we do. In 2012, 871 volunteers contributed 11,231 hours of service, the time of more than 5 additional full-time employees!

Our volunteers clean and refurbish every bicycle destined for the Holiday Bike Drive, recycle every donated bicycle and part that is unfit for the road and co-facilitate all of our hands-on programs and classes.

Volunteers take photos of every program and event, help design our publications, assist with skilled repairs in the shop and stand at the forefront of our community outreach efforts.

You don’t need to be an ace mechanic to support us! Those volunteers who do work in the shop can expect in-depth training and support. If wrenching isn’t your thing, we offer a diverse array of projects that cater to a wide variety of skills and interests.

Getting Started

Before you join our volunteer community, we ask that you attend a Volunteer Orientation. This is your chance to learn more about the Community Cycling Center and our Volunteer Program. We’ll talk about what we do, take a tour of the shop, and discuss how you can start volunteering right away.

Volunteers ages 12 and up are welcome, and those who are 14 and older can attend without parental supervision. If you are under 18 years old, please download our Volunteer Program Waiver and have a parent or guardian sign it before you come.

We look forward to welcoming new volunteers into our program on the first Tuesday of every month with Volunteer Orientation. Update, 5/22: Currently, all spots for the June orientation have been filled. The next available orientation date is on Tuesday, July 2nd. If you are interested in a specific position or project (view them here), please contact the Volunteer and Outreach Manager, Randi Orth, at randi@communitycyclingcenter.org.

Staying Involved

Drop-In Volunteering

Once you have attended orientation, you’re welcome to join us at one of our drop-in opportunities. Dozens of volunteers join us week after week to clean, repair and recycle bicycles while building community.

Positions and Projects

Volunteers play a big role in supporting all of our hands-on programs and events. Whether you’re looking to ride along with Create a Commuter workshop, assist with design projects, co-teach a Maintenance Class, photo-document an outreach event or help us collect used bicycles, there’s an opportunity for everyone! Check out our list of ongoing positions and projects and find the opportunity that best fits your interests.

Guest Mechanic Program

Our Guest Mechanic Program is set up to give you the training and support you need to learn more about bike repair. Working with our skilled staff mechanics, you can learn about refurbishing bikes, building new bikes from the box and building wheels. In turn, you will help us provide more bikes to youth and adults in the community. Once you’ve mastered the skills at one level, you can get certified and explore higher-level opportunities.

Group Activities

Are you looking for a rewarding, team-building activity for your employees or group? We host dozens of volunteer groups from supporting organizations and businesses, including Hands on Greater Portland, Bike Gallery, REI, Adidas, the Standard, Portland Wheelmen Touring Club and many more.

For more information about volunteering with the Community Cycling Center, please contact our Volunteer and Outreach Manager, Randi Orth, at 503.288.8864 or Randi@CommunityCyclingCenter.org.

Photos, from top to bottom, by Brian Benson and Joel Schneier.