Neighborhood Bike Works
Happy Bike Month! If you’ve been following Sketch Simply for a while, you already know that bicycles are a profound source of inspiration for my work and features. Long before I was creating drawing tutorials about bicycles and bike pumps, I was working hands on as a bike mechanic for both customers and the Philadelphia first responders bike fleets.
There is something incredibly beautiful about the simplicity of a bicycle. It is pure mechanical poetry—gears, cables, and tubes coming together to create freedom. But for a bike to give you that freedom, you have to know how to ride it and take care of it.
That’s why, for May’s Bike Month feature, I am incredibly excited to shine a spotlight on a Philadelphia based non-profit that is doing the real, hands on work of empowering our community through wheels and wrenches: Neighborhood Bike Works.
The Beauty of the Biking Ecosystem
A bike mechanic in an apron tuning a rear wheel in the Neighborhood Bike Works community shop.
Too often, the barrier to cycling isn't just getting your hands on a bicycle, it's having the tools, the safe space, and the mechanical know how to keep it running. Neighborhood Bike Works steps right into that gap.
Their mission is beautiful in its simplicity: they inspire youth and strengthen Philadelphia by providing equitable access to bicycling and bike repair through education, recreation, leadership, and career-building opportunities.
Two people working together on a bicycle repair stand during the Bike Church community program.
NBW doesn't just hand out bikes; they teach people how to understand them. Through free, hands on youth programs, kids learn how to repair bikes, ride safely, and explore the city. They can even earn their own bike by putting in the sweat equity to fix it.
But it doesn't stop with youth. They’ve built what they call a biking ecosystem. Through their community bike shop and their Bike Church program, adults get free access to tools, parts, and expert guidance. It’s a sustainable, community powered system where knowledge is passed down, and everyone has a role in keeping bikes on the road.
Real Impact, Gen to Gen
The mechanical impact of fixing a flat tire is instant, but the human impact at NBW lasts for generations. Just look at what they’ve accomplished recently:
180 Youth Served: Nearly 180 young people went through their programs this year. Many return year after year, and several current staff members actually started out as kids in the program!
3,000+ Adults Supported: Over 3,000 adults walked through their doors last year to use Bike Church, take classes, or buy affordable, refurbished rides.
Three Generations in One Room: At a recent youth led fundraiser, the room was packed with former youth participants, current riders, and their families.
Spotlight: Ashan’s Journey
Ashan first came to Neighborhood Bike Works with his mom during a Quarterly Open House. That day, he could barely make eye contact. He was quiet, reserved, and unsure of himself in a new environment.
A few weeks later, at the end of his first Earn-A-Bike course, something unexpected happened. When it was time for participants to share, Ashan stood up and spoke. It was just a few words—but it was enough to stop the room. Afterward, his mother came up to the staff in tears. He had never spoken in front of a group before.
Over the next three years, Ashan kept coming back. When things became difficult at home and he considered leaving, NBW's Mustafa Abdul-Rashid encouraged him to stay—making sure he knew he belonged and had support.
A young boy with glasses closely observing a bicycle wheel being repaired at Neighborhood Bike Works in Philadelphia.
Through cycling, Ashan gained total independence, learning how to move safely and confidently through his neighborhood and the city. He progressed through programs, took on paid roles, and became a leader among his peers.
Just last month, Ashan stood in front of more than 50 people and delivered a powerful speech. The same young person who once avoided eye contact is now leading his community.
At Neighborhood Bike Works, stories like Ashan’s happen every day—where a bicycle becomes the tool that opens doors to confidence, independence, and a profound sense of belonging.
In Their Own Words
I love looking at the sketches of life through the words of the people who live it. Here is what the community and youth are saying about NBW:
“The staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help—you can tell they really care about teaching, not just fixing bikes.” — Community Member
“Now if I want to go on a ride, I can just go. I can take my family out and even lead the way, I know the trails.” — NBW Youth, Age 15
“Before this program, I would just go home after school and not go anywhere. Now I’m always riding. It’s changed how I spend my time, and even my social life.” — NBW Youth, Age 16
A diverse group of youth and adult cyclists standing with their bicycles on the East Falls Bridge in Philadelphia for Bike Month.
How to Support Neighborhood Bike Works
The Immediate Call to Action
The most impactful way to support them today is to help keep youth programs free while expanding access to affordable repair for all ages.
Check out the link below to support their bike ecosystem
More Ways to Get Involved:
A youth participant learns mechanical skills by working on a bicycle frame during a skills clinic.
Donate a Bike: Have an old bike gathering dust in your garage? Drop it off! They refurbish and redistribute bikes to youth and adults who need reliable transportation.
Volunteer: Whether you’re an experienced mechanic like I was, or just starting out, they need hands in the shop and at Bike Church.
Shop Local (and Affordably): Visit their physical shop for repairs and refurbished bikes, or check out their eBay Store for unique, vintage, and hard-to-find bike gear.
Take a Class: Sign up for an Adult Repair Class to sharpen your own skills—your tuition directly funds their youth programs.
Spread the Word: Share this blog post, visit their website at neighborhoodbikeworks.org, and let’s keep Philly riding.
Thank you for reading this month's feature and a huge shoutout to Neighborhood Bike Works for allowing us to feature them. We loved telling your story, and sharing how you’re making an impact in the Philadelphia community!
Next time you look at a bicycle, remember it’s not just a frame and two wheels, it’s a vehicle for community, growth, and freedom!
*This is not a paid post/review.
All photos are owned by Neighborhood Bike Works. I do not own the rights to any photos and received permission from Neighborhood Bike Works to feature them.
