Gearin’ Up Bicycles to bring Community Used Bicycle Shop to DC

Gearin' Up Bicycles is launching an indiegogo campaign to raise money to build a nonprofit, community used bicycle shop in DC. 

Gearin’ Up Bicycles will offer job training and education opportunities to youth and young adults from under-served communities at its location at 1200 Bladensburg Road NE.

Over the past 2 years, Gearin’ Up Bicycles has been teaching basic bicycle skills and safety onsite with partnering organizations. Gearin’ Up is very excited to expand programming by moving into their own space. Executive Director Katie Lupo noted “there is a need in Washington D.C. for both a used bicycle shop and additional opportunities for youth from under-served communities. Gearin’ Up Bicycles is excited to address both of these needs at our new location."

They're trying to raise $10,000, and have a little over a month to do so. 

We have an awesome space and a multitude of bikes, but we need YOUR help setting up our shop!  To get our space ready, we need $10,000 for capital and overhead costs associated with getting our space ready for our Earn-A-Bike and Workforce Development programs. Your donation will allow us to establish successful programs and get the funding mechanisms in place which will sustain us in the future. We have great perks in exchange for your contribution including koozies, pint glasses and T-shirts- all featuring the Gearin' Up logo. At higher-donation levels you can even receive a CUSTOM Gearin' Up bike!!

Click here to donate. I already got one of the pint glasses.

Comments

[ontarioroader]

One recommendation: get a pawn shop license. I know at least one bike shop in DC that got in trouble with DCRA (fines and threats of shut-down) for selling used bikes without one.

[Katie Lupo]

Thank you!
We will be operating as a secondhand dealer. Since we are a 501c3 and *only* sell donated used bikes, only certain regulations apply to us. For more information about the laws pertaining to used bike sales, check out the DC Municipal Regulations here:

http://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/ChapterHome.aspx?ChapterNumber=16-10 - specifically 16-1003.3(b).

Happy to answer any questions or discuss at [email protected].