FAQ

What is the Dubuque Bike Coop?

• We’re glad that you asked!  We are a non-profit, volunteer-driven community bike project.  Founded in 2012, our goal is to help foster the growing bicycling community in the Dubuque area.

Hey – I’ve got this amazing bike/component/accessory that I don’t use anymore… will you buy it from me?

• Sorry - no.  We only accept donated items.  If you are wanting to make some money off of your item, we recommend Marketplace or local classifieds.

Hey – will you fix my bike for me?

• No.  Let us explain:  we are a community bike project – not a conventional bike shop.  We will be more than happy to teach you how to maintain or repair your bike (see RAB), but we cannot do the work completely for you.  If you’re looking for someone to do the work for you, we recommend that you support one of the several great local bike shops (LBS) in the area.

What is Rent-A-Bench (RAB)?

• We’re not going to lie… we have a pretty sweet shop setup with a lot of tools.  Even better is that we want to share them with YOU!  For $10/hour, you get access to a repair stand, tools and the tribal knowledge of anyone in the shop.  In addition to the standard fee, we’re also big fans of pizza, cookies, brownies and cupcakes.  Sorry, we do not loan out tools. 

I like that unrepaired bike.  

• Can I buy it "as-is" and fix it up myself?  Yes!  Check with a volunteer about pricing.

• Can I pay for it now and pick it up later after it has been repaired?  No.  We have no idea how long it will take and we just aren't setup to track it's progress.  There is always a chance that we find damage during the repair that could cause it to be scrapped.

I'm in need of a bike - can I get one for free?

• We do not offer free bikes directly - we do work with partnering organizations to get those in need a bicycle via a voucher program.  If you are in need, we recommend that you connect with a local non-profit that provides services for your situation.  If they do not already have one of our serialized vouchers, ask them to contact us to get setup with our voucher program.  Vouchers are good for bargain bikes and are not transferrable.  Vouchers must be official serialized Coop vouchers.  

• Why can't I just come in and get a bike or have a local organization give me a generic voucher?  

• We are very understanding of situations where people need a bike.  With our very limited staff availability, we do not have the bandwidth to vet out each situation.  As for the official serialized vouchers, this helps us control the number of bikes available for the voucher program and to track where the bikes go.   Are we strict on this policy?  Yes - we have to be.  We need to be fair to everyone - including our volunteers.

Do you sell locks/helmets/baskets/racks/etc.? Or... I need parts for my own project.  May I dig through your parts bins?

• Absolutely!  We have a vast array of used bicycle components and accessories available.  Stop by and see what we have!

I see that you are open very limited days/hours... what gives?

• Yeah... we understand that we are not currently able to offer the level of service to the community that we would like.  We are a small yet committed group of volunteers.  We do not currently have any paid staff and our volunteer base juggles many other responsibilities (e.g., work, kids, school).  We hope to continue to develop the resources we need to be open more hours, offer more clinics and attend more events.  

I love what you all are doing for the community… Is there anything I can do to help you all out?

• Absolutely!  First and foremost, you can RIDE YOUR BIKE!  This helps us realize our overall goal – to get more people on bikes.  Secondly, you can help SPREAD THE WORD about our work and our mission.  We are here to help and the more connections we have within the community, the more we can do just that!  Last but not least, you can VOLUNTEER!  We are always looking for volunteers to help the organization run smoothly.  Opportunities include mechanics, website/social media, community outreach,and bookkeeping/administration.  Please contact us for more details.