We teach youth how to fix bikes, give them the chance to earn a bike, and to explore new places by bike.

Youth start in our Earn-A-Bike class or in Ride Club

Earn-A-Bike

Learn how to fix bikes with specialty bike tools! In our Earn-A-Bike class youth learn the basics of bike repair and maintenance by fixing up a bike that has been donated to Neighborhood Bike Works. At Earn-A-Bike graduation, students are able to keep the bike they've refurbished and they can also bring home a lock and helmet. Additionally, the class includes lessons on safe urban riding, health, and nutrition.

All graduates of the Earn-A-Bike program can continue to work in the shop, earning hours they can trade for more bikes, parts, and accessories. Graduates also get the chance to participate in our many advanced level programs. 

Earn-A-Bike is open to youth ages 8 - 18.

• Upcoming Classes:

  Mondays & Wednesdays 4-6pm, 9/30 to 11/13
  Mondays & Wednesdays 4-6pm, 1/6/2025 to 2/19/2025
  Tuesdays & Thursday 4-6pm, 1/7/2025 to 2/20/2025
  Mondays & Wednesdays 4-6pm, 2/24/2025 to 4/9/2025
  Tuesdays & Thursday 4-6pm, 2/25/2025 to 4/10/2025

Summer Camp

Our summer camp combines elements of our two entry-level programs, Earn-A-Bike and Ride Club. Youth will learn hands-on mechanic skills and experience the outdoors by bike!

Summer Camp is open to youth ages 8 - 18.

Ride Club

Ride Club is a four-week after-school group ride program that explores natural, historic, and artistic spaces in West Philadelphia. Ride Club emphasizes bike safety and rules of the road, along with the joys of bicycle adventure. Youth will ride on Philadelphia streets and use Circuit trails and bike paths that are connected to initiatives such as The East Coast Greenway. Ride Club curriculum includes lessons on health, fitness, and on-the-road bike repairs.

All Ride Club participants should know how to ride a bike and must be able to ride 20 minutes without a break.  Neighborhood Bike Works can provide youth with a bike and helmet to use during rides. Rides vary between two and six miles per day, and will also vary based on the ability of youth in the class.

After completing Ride Club, youth have the opportunity to participate in Neighborhood Bike Works' graduate programs. To graduate, each participant is expected to attend 75% of classes. The first four classes are especially critical to students' success!

Ride Club is open to youth ages 8 - 18.

• Upcoming Classes:

  Tuesday & Thursdays 4-6pm, 9/3 to 9/26
  Mondays & Wednesdays 4-6pm; 4/14/2025 to 5/5/2025

All Neighborhood Bike Works classes are free but we do ask for a $25 deposit that will be refunded when the student completes the class.

To learn more, please complete our Youth Program Interest Form.

Wrench Squad programs are for youth who have graduated from Earn-a-Bike or Ride Club.

Youth in our Wrench Squad work on repair projects during our drop-in shop time, participate in group rides, learn leadership and advanced mechanics skills through workshops, field trips and self-paced skills badges, and can qualify for apprenticeships.

Drop-In

Fix your bike! Saturdays are open shop sessions to continue learning and practicing bike mechanic skills. Students can continue work on the bike they've earned, begin work on a new project, or help with tasks around the shop to earn additional credit hours (which can be used to purchase new bikes, parts, and accessories).  

Drop-In runs in two sessions from either 10:00 to 12:00 or 12:00 to 2:00 on Saturdays.
Limit to 4 participants per session. You must arrive within 20 minutes of start time to participate. First come first served.

Monthly Rides

Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling Team

Monthly rides are open to all youth who have completed an NBW safety rodeo. Rides are about 10 miles long. All participants must be able to ride 20 minutes without a break.

If you don’t have a bike to ride we are happy to lend you one of our Fleet Bicycles for these rides. Please arrive on time as the first half an hour is a bike safety check

Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling (BCYC) fosters healthy habits, independence, and leadership, one ride at a time. By joining Team NBW, youth learn about teamwork, perseverance, and goal-setting.

Participants develop their skills in racing their bike, try their hand in a Time Trial and Criterium race, ride places they’ve never been before, make new friends with young cyclists from other teams, and learn more about bicycling in Philadelphia.

Team members use a racing bike from BCYC and will be given some basic race team gear and accessories. BCYC is made possible through a partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

You can apply to be a part of the 2023 Spring Season here! Registration ends February 17th.

Freedom Riders

Explore Philadelphia parks, watersheds, and green spaces!  Ride a mountain bike on some of our region's best bike trails!

Freedom Riders is for youth 12 to 18 who have finished either Earn-A-Bike, Ride Club, or NBW's Summer Camp.  This is a ride program where we'll explore Philly's green-spaces and watershed areas, with an emphasis on learning about our watershed environments and enjoying all the sights, sounds, and bike trails they have to offer.