Bike Match
Philip is a former "Lost Boy" who resettled in Boston nearly 18 years ago during the Second Sudanese Civil War. Walking nearly 30 minutes to his job in Medford as a grocery worker, Philip received a bike via Bike Match to help with his commute.
Bikes Not Bombs has joined the #BikeMatch movement in order to connect first responders, medical professionals, and other essential workers with free bicycles during the coronavirus pandemic. The Bike Match program was piloted by Transportation Alternatives in New York City in order to respond to an uptick in the number of bike commuters during the COVID-19 crisis.
Interested in Bike Match?
Donate a bike or request a bike here!
How It Works
Potential bike donors and requesters visit the Boston area Bike Match website. After they fill out the required forms, Bikes Not Bombs will use the information to “match” a bike to a specific recipient. The donor must ensure that the bicycle is in ready-to-ride condition or as close to ready-to-ride condition as possible. (Donors can determine if their bicycle is in ready-to-ride condition by watching this video for examples of what to inspect.) Bicycles will be sanitized before entering and before leaving the shop.
Bikes Not Bombs (BNB) is a social justice organization specializing in the collection and repurposing of bicycles to create job opportunities and to grow a culture of sustainable transportation.
Having a physical bike shop at 284 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, BNB is uniquely positioned to respond to those who are most affected by the crisis. Executive Director, Elijah Evans said, “Access to transportation, equity, and environmental stewardship are at the core of Bikes Not Bombs’ mission. With ridership on the MBTA dramatically decreasing, people are looking for safe and affordable ways to get around the city. At this time, it is also important that we all step up to support essential workers like those in our hospitals and grocery stores.”
“By implementing a new Bike Match program here in Boston, BNB aims to play a critical role in equipping essential workers with a bicycle, helping them to perform work and access critical resources in their community, such as healthcare, food, prescription drugs, house supplies, etc. during the COVID-19 crisis,” adds Evans.