The mission of Bike Rehab is to collect, recondition and distribute bikes to mission agencies and/or individuals. In the process, we foster lasting relationships and community amongst participants.

You never know how a ministry will be born. This ministry was not envisioned and developed by a group of bike riders and enthusiasts, but by a group who prepared breakfast each month for individuals joining our church.  It started with “Let’s put our small change in a coffee can each month and at the end of the year buy a bike for charity”.  Two months later it was “Do you suppose we could collect some used bikes, fix them up, and give them to LifeWise STL” – (a partner organization in St. Louis inner city).  Within three months, 60 bikes had been donated to the agency. Since our start in the year 2000, over 8,000 bikes have been shared with agencies, groups and individuals.

Donated bikes are evaluated to determine if the bike can be rehabbed to an excellent condition within the limits of financial investment and time involvement that the ministry is willing to invest. Bikes that do not qualify to be rehabbed are used for parts.

Each usable bike is “logged in” and tagged with an itemized check list to identify the make, model, type, tire size, and any other feature of the bike that may need to be repaired or adjusted. The bike is cleaned and scheduled for rehab days when volunteers gather in mass to work. Parts and supplies are gathered for bikes that are to be rehabbed.

All of the Bike Rehab workers are 100% unpaid, volunteers who enjoy bringing miles of smiles to people in need through bikes.

At the conclusion of each rehab day, most bikes are transported to our major recipient, LifeWise STL. Here the bikes and helmets are systematically distributed to selected children and their families.

Volunteers are able to pre-register below and work inside the Bike House with a maximum of 16 people. The Bike House is open every Thursday from 8a to 2p. COVID-19 procedures and protocols are being practiced at the Bike House.

Some of the rehabbing tasks include: replacing tires, tubes, grips, brake pads, cables, cable housing, reflectors, seats, pedals, and kick stands.  Each bike is cleaned and polished to enhance its appearance and prepare it for extended service to a joyful recipient. No experience needed! Tools and supplies will also be provided!

The Bike House is closed for the following holidays: weeks of Christmas and New Years, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Day after Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving.

Prior to volunteering, volunteers must: 

1. pre-register each time they volunteer.  No walk-ins will be allowed.
2. masks are optional for fully vaccinated persons.
3. satisfy the COVID Self-Screening questions.  Completion of COVID form is not needed.
4. use hand sanitizer when entering the building and throughout the shift.
5. physical distancing is optional for those in the same household or COVID circle and for those who are fully vaccinated.
6. not share food or drinks.
7. read the detailed safety protocols that are posted in the Bike House.
8. sign in on the provided clipboard upon entering.
9. follow the posted entrance and exit signs.

If questions, please call the Opener who will be working the shift.  Click on the registration below to view the available volunteer spots.

The Bike Rehab Work Weekend dates are currently on pause. When Manchester UMC is in Phase 4, Bike Rehab schedules rehab work days each year in January, April, September, and October.  Volunteers meet to complete the various tasks to rehab a group of bikes. Please check back on this website for more information in the future.

Service hour opportunities for the Bike Rehab are currently on pause. When Manchester UMC is in Phase 4, please check with Mary Corwin if you you or someone you know is interested in service hour opportunities. Many organizations accept volunteer service hours completed with Bike Rehab.

To donate bikes, drop them off at the Bike House, 201 Creve Coeur Ave., Manchester, MO, outside the building. If you are unable to drop off your bikes, please email Dean Wilson.

The success of the ministry is largely dependent upon available financing. The ministry’s primary fundraiser is to provide food service for our church’s 4th of July community fireworks display.

Frequently, we offer bikes in “like new” condition for a suggested donation to help fund the expenses of the ministry. We maintain a listing of these bikes at our ministry’s Facebook page.

The average cost to rehab a bike is $26.00, which includes a $9.00 helmet. Other expenses include tools, bike stands, replacement parts, and cleaning supplies.

Beginning in July 2017, some creative volunteers began to use parts from retired bicycles to make lamps, bicycle hangers, bike racks, and colorful yard sculptures.  Anyone can take a piece of this fun art home for a suggested donation to Bike Rehab . There is always room for more creativity, so join us to create bike art by emailing Joann Harris or Barry Cundy.

• Bike Rehab: Susanne Mertens
• Bike Donations: Dean Wilson
• Bike Sales: Joann Harris or Barry Cundy
• Bike Rehab Bike Art: Joann Harris or Barry Cundy
• Manchester United Methodist Church 636.394.7506

Read our article — How to Start a Bicycle Rehab Ministry