Bikes that move people to work, to school and to a new chapter
Freewheels Houston improves mobility in the Houston community. Our volunteers repair bicycles that enable people to get to work and school and pursue opportunities available in the Houston community.
How we do it
Our bikes are donated by people from across the Houston area, repaired by volunteers and distributed through schools and social service partners. Our volunteer bike preppers and mechanics hold themselves to high standards for thoroughness, reliability and safe operations.
We give bikes to people who are starting new chapters of their lives in Houston – including refugees and veterans emerging from homelessness – and young people enjoying freedom of mobility for the first time.
Volunteers drive the Freewheels mission
Last year, 395 people volunteered a total of 5,515 hours repairing and distributing bikes that changed lives. Our volunteers come from many parts of the Houston community, brought together because they enjoy working on bikes and providing transportation alternatives to people who want to move around Houston.
We appreciate the support of Volunteer Houston, a program of IM Houston. The Volunteer Houston portal helps connect volunteers with opportunities at Freewheels and many other nonprofit organizations. Houston’s corporate sector plays an important role in encouraging service projects; we have welcomed individuals and groups from ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Microsoft, Mattress Firm, Tailored Brands, Dow Chemical, Marine Well Containment Company, AIG and other Houston-based and global firms.
Partnerships
Currently, we work with ECDC Houston Multicultural Center, Church World Service, IMHouston, Amaanah Services and YMCA Houston to identify refugees who could use a bike to improve their lives.
We support the Houston community’s goal of ending veteran homelessness through our work with the Veterans Administration, U.S.VETS, Warriors Refuge and PTSD Foundation Camp Hope. We also work with other agencies helping people emerge from homelessness including SEARCH Homeless Services, Salvation Army and Star of Hope Mission.
Freewheels Houston has an ongoing program to deliver bikes to 5th- and 6th-graders at Klentzman and Mata Intermediate Schools in Alief Independent School District. Working with Communities in Schools and school staff, our bikes have been used to reward perfect attendance and improvement in academic and social areas. We have provided bikes to middle- and high-school aged refugees who participate in after-school programs operated by PAIR Houston–the Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees.
We rely on many institutions in Houston for support – funding, volunteers and prayers.
BikeHouston has been a close partner for many years, raising awareness of our program throughout the city.
Faith communities across traditions have been among our strongest supporters – Christ the King Lutheran Church, Congregation Emanu El, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church and Salem Lutheran Church have all contributed bikes, financial support, volunteers and prayers.
Foundations – including the Baxter Trust and the Scott Wizig Family Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation – have been generous supporters.
We appreciate the support and encouragement from companies – including Parker Hannifin, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Microsoft, Shell and AIG – that have provided employee volunteer grants and matching gifts.
Bike shops – including Cool Cat Cycles in Katy and Trek Bikes, REI, Gear Monkey Bike Repair in Pearland and student-run Rice Bikes in Houston – have been sources of bikes as well as parts and safety equipment that help make bikes more reliable and safer to ride.
A brief history of Freewheels
Freewheels was established by members of Christ the King Lutheran Church and BikeHouston in October 2015 to assist refugees by repairing bikes that enable them to get to work and school and other destinations. We opened our bike repair shop in the Gulfton area in 2017 and expanded our distribution strategy to include veterans emerging from homelessness and young people from low-income families.
In 2019, Freewheels incorporated as an independent nonprofit and received its own 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS — a natural next step for an organization that had always drawn volunteers and support from across the Houston community, and one that opened new doors with corporate and foundation funders.
Our values
- Safety: In our operations and our bikes, safety is the most important factor.
- Respect: We will treat each other, our partners and our customers as we would want to be treated.
- Gratitude: We are always thankful for the bikes, volunteers and financial support that fuels our project.
- Transparency: We will be honest with the community about our operations, how we decide who gets bikes and how we use donated resources–bikes and financial support.
Do you want to get involved?
Join our effort: Volunteer with us, donate a bike or support our work financially.