Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange

Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (BikeX)

Website	http://www.bikex.org
Email	info@bikex.org
Founded	1993
Location	Palo Alto, California, USA
Language	English
Services Offered	DIY Repair Services Pay Repair Services Mobile Repair Services Workshops Bicycle Courses Group Rides Bicycle Advocacy In-School Programs Women and Trans Programs
Mission Statement	Serving the community while inspiring people to learn the art of bicycle repair.
Phone	(650)691-5989

Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a non-profit community organization in the California Bay Area that refurbishes and donates bikes to children and others in our community who need them. In operation for over 33 years, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange, also known as BikeX, has taught hundreds of volunteers the art of repairing bikes. We also sell used bikes and new and used parts and accessories. The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity.

Hours of Operation

As of September 2026, SVBE retail hours are:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:00am - 5:30pm (closed Tuesdays & Thursdays)

As of September 2026, SVBE volunteer repair event hours are:

• Saturdays, 10:00am - 3:00pm
• 1st & 3rd Mondays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm (Women's night, Co-ed nights)
• Alternate Sundays 9:00am - 12:00pm

Hours are subject to change. Updated information can be found on the SVBE Calendar

Contact Info

Website: https://www.bikex.org

Location/Mailing Address: 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA

Email: info@bikex.org

History

Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (SVBE) began in 1993 repairing bicycles for clients of the Mountain View Community Services Agency (MVCSA). With donations from Xerox Corp., SVBE began renting a small workshop at 2566 Leghorn Street in Mountain View and set up a workshop and regular volunteer workday events to receive and repair used bicycles. Over the next 14 years, the program repaired and donated bicycles and helmets to low-income individuals through its partnership with MVCSA. In 2007, SVBE became a program of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and in 2014 the SVBE was granted IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status and began operating as a separate entity.

Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange has developed partnerships with more than 20 organizations throughout the Bay Area to donate bicycles, helmets, locks and lights to those in need. Check out their Recipient Partners page to learn more about these amazing organizations and what they do. SVBE's mission benefits from partnerships with organizations that support their programs and groups that volunteer with them.

Throughout its operation, SVBE has maintained a strong educational component, teaching bicycle repair skills to thousands of volunteers while refurbishing bikes to donate to charity organizations. They accept volunteers of all mechanical abilities and those with different interests. See their event calendar for new/returning volunteer opportunities and our volunteer roles.

In 2012, SVBE began organizing bicycle safety classes for bicycle recipients, a program currently on hiatus, and in 2014 SVBE launched a Bicycle Exchange program in Santa Cruz, which closed during COVID. As of 2026, they have donated over 13,000 bicycles with the help of over 111,000 volunteer hours.

In 2019, Bicycle Exchange moved to a new workspace at 3961 E. Bayshore Road in Palo Alto.

The Bicycle Exchange is a year-round outdoor activity. On their workdays, volunteers can work indoors at workbenches as well as at canopies and repair stands that the organization sets up outside. They roll out their tool and parts carts for easy access. Volunteers work in teams on selected bikes for donation that week. Many of the organization's volunteers have never used tools, but experienced volunteer mentors provide guidance through demonstration and explanation of principles. Bikes receive a two-stage safety/quality check before they are cleared for donation or sales. SVBE often hears volunteers say, “Hey, I learned something new today!” Interested in joining the community? Check out their upcoming events.

Bicycle Exchange is a Sister Organization of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition.

Santa Cruz Bicycle Exchange

In 2014, SVBE launched a Bicycle Exchange program in Santa Cruz, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Services Offered

SVBE and its volunteers refurbish and donate bikes through local partner social service organizations to individuals in the community who need them most. SVBE holds regular workdays, as well as hosts corporate bike repair events.

SVBE also sells a portion of refurbished adult bikes at workdays and bi-annual bike sales. We also have a nice selection of affordable new and used parts and accessories including lights, locks, helmets and flat tire essentials.