What It Means to Be a Community Cycle Center

At 2nd Cycle, we believe in building a world where the joy of bike riding is accessible to everybody.

OUR MISSION

To demystify and normalize bike riding as a part of daily life and realize the bicycle as a tool for personal and community empowerment.

Programs That Keep Our Community Rolling

All of our youth programs are completely free to participants, thanks to the generous support of our funding partners. One of our largest partners, Cascade Bicycle Club, awarded us a grant funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). This grant allowed us to expand our youth programming, helping us serve more students than ever before.

The Cascade Bicycle Club Youth Development Grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

In addition to this, the City of Tacoma and Safe Routes to School have awarded us grants that allow us to run our Earn-A-Bike classes, Spring and Summer Camp, Kidical Mass rides, Bike Rodeos, and Traffic Gardens throughout the year. We also receive funding from Tacoma Public Schools to support their CCA-funded program, which teaches elementary school students how to cycle safely in our community. Additionally, we work with the Pierce County Court System to offer a Diversion Program that provides youth with an opportunity to earn a bike and develop skills instead of facing traditional penalties.

We also offer adult programs that are accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. From repair classes/Open Shop nights, we ensure that everyone in our community has access to the resources and knowledge they need to keep riding. If you can’t afford to pay for a class or service, we’ll work with you to ensure you still have access.

The Recycle & Reuse Center:

Giving New Life to Old Bikes

One of our most impactful—but often overlooked—programs is our Recycle & Reuse Center. Every year, we keep thousands of bikes and bike-related equipment out of landfills by accepting community donations. We carefully sort these donations, directing usable parts and bikes to our shop for affordable resale or to our programs, where they’re used in classes.

For bikes that need extensive repairs, we look for ways to give them a second life beyond Tacoma. We send some to communities in Africa, where they continue to serve as reliable transportation. We also donate many kids’ bikes to Bikes for Kids in Browns Point, an organization working to ensure every child can experience the joy of cycling.

If a donated bike or part is truly beyond use, we recycle the materials responsibly—sending metal to scrap recyclers and tires to specialized recycling programs.

This effort wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers who help us sort, repair, and distribute bikes. But volunteering at 2nd Cycle isn’t just about giving back—it’s also a hands-on learning experience. Volunteers gain valuable bike knowledge while actively contributing to our mission. Whether you’re an experienced mechanic or new to bikes, there’s a place for you in our Recycle & Reuse Center.

The Bike Shop: Affordable Repairs & DIY Support

Our full-service bike shop is another way we serve the community. We take donated bikes—many of which are no longer rideable—and bring them back to life, offering them at affordable prices to those who need them. We also keep a large stock of parts, ensuring that anyone handy enough to fix their own bike can find what they need.

For those who need assistance, our mechanics can handle repairs at the lowest cost in the region. And if you’d rather learn to fix your own bike, we offer repair classes and Open Shop sessions. Every other Friday, anyone can drop in and use our tools while getting guidance from experienced staff. Members—starting at just $15/month—can access Open Shop anytime we’re open.

Our shop also operates Pedal It Forward, a program that provides free repairs for those who can’t afford them, and a monthly bike giveaway to someone in need of transportation. We believe everyone should have access to safe, reliable mobility, regardless of financial barriers.

Events & Community Gatherings

Our space is more than just a bike shop—it’s a hub for the cycling community. We host events that bring people together, from group rides to workshops and social gatherings. Whether it’s a Bike Rodeo for kids, Femme Night for non-male riders, or our annual Bike Stories gala, we aim to create welcoming, inclusive experiences for all.

Most of our events are low-cost or donation-based, and no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds. We believe that community events should be accessible to all, just like biking itself.

Help Us Keep Rolling Forward

Everything we do at 2nd Cycle—from youth programming to free repairs and recycling efforts—is made possible through community support. If you believe in our mission and want to see more people on bikes, consider making a donation.

Can’t give financially? You can still support us by volunteering your time or donating bikes and parts to our Recycle & Reuse Center. Every contribution—whether it’s dollars, time, or equipment—helps us continue making cycling accessible to everyone.

Join us in creating a stronger, more connected biking community. Let’s keep rolling forward together!