The guidelines are simple: work hard, serve your community, earn a bike. Whether at Phoenix Bikes’ community bike shop in South Arlington, or area public schools and community centers, youth ages 12-17 learn the basics of bike repair, practice their skills refurbishing a bike for someone in need, and earn a bike for themselves. Next, teens can stay on to learn advanced mechanics and help their peers through the basics, as well as build other leadership and job-readiness skills. On weekly group rides throughout metro DC, they use their well-earned bicycles for transportation, fitness, and fun. The junior cycling team gives young people an opportunity to experience endurance, discipline, and teamwork – valuable skills in cycling and in life. Using tools to fix bikes? Excellent. Using bikes as tools to develop young leaders? Awesome.

Headquarters: VA-Arlington County

Where They Operate: VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Falls Church; The majority of youth participants reside in Arlington County, VA, but Phoenix Bikes also serves youth from surrounding Northern Virginia counties and throughout the greater Washington DC Metro area.

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; Veterans/Military Families; Immigrants/Refugees; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: Gunston Middle School; Hammond School; Kenmore Middle School; Swanson Middle School; Thomas Jefferson Middle School; Williamsburg Middle School; Wakefield High School; Washington-Lee High School; Arlington Tech; New Directions School


  • Number of youth served in Phoenix Bikes programs annually:   450
  • Number of bicycles donated to community members in need annually:   100
  • Number of adult volunteers engaged annually :   150
  • Number of affordable bicycle repair services provided to the community annually:   1750
  • Number of adults educated in bicycle repair topics annually:   100

Awards & Recognition

Best Business Award - Nonprofit, Arlington Chamber of Commerce, 2016

Press

  • No stories found

Budget (FY2022)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for Phoenix Bikes is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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