Why $4989? Because we have exactly 28 bikes that have been requested from partnering nonprofits, and each bike costs us exactly $178 to refurbish. Our goal is to raise enough funds for us to catch up to the demand for sustainable transportation from our partners and give away 28 bikes to our fellow community members.
What's Two Bikes? Two Bikes is a nonprofit bike shop and community space that operates a little bit differently from your normal nonprofit. We sell half of our bikes which funds our standard operating costs (think electrical bill, rent, the Executive Director’s salary etc.). That way all of the funds that are donated can go directly to providing bikes to folks who need them!
How Do We Use Donated Funds? Each bike we donate costs us aproximately $178. How do we come to that number? Great question. $75 goes to parts which typically includes new tires, new brake pads, a new chain, and new grips. Like we said, we make sure each recycled bicycle rides as good as new (and often better!). $85 goes to our professional mechanics who we offer full benefits and industry-leading pay ($22/hour starting salary). That represents about 3 hours of labor to refurbish the bike to our exacting stadards of safety, quality, and cleanliness. $17 goes to administrative overhead which represents the time our staff uses to coordinate with a local caseworker at a partnering nonprofit to ensure the bike goes to a child or adult in need.
Who Gives The Bikes Away? We realized pretty early on that we're great bike mechanics, but not great social workers. That why we've partnered with some of the best nonprofits in the downtown Chattanooga area who oftentimes have decades of experience working with their target populations. These organizations include La Paz, Chatt Foundation, Chattanooga Football Club Foudation, and White Oak Bike Co-op.
What's Our Goal? To provide bikes to all of our Chattanooga community regardless of their socioeconomic status. Because riding bikes is fun!