Volunteer opportunities
Are you interested in helping us spread the joy of biking, walking, and rolling?
Bike Walk Tompkins is a largely volunteer based organization that relies on community members to further our mission of educating and making active transportation accessible for all. Volunteers help us provide services at our community bike shop and our learn-to-ride programs. If you are curious about how to get involved, consider joining our orientation session. If you have any questions, email emme@bikewalktompkins.org
How IT WORKS
You will find all our current roles listed below. You can sign up for a shift(s) by following the link to the schedule. Some positions may require Orientation or further training. Check this page for our updated events.
EXPECTATIONS
We thank all our volunteers for their generosity and understand that other commitments exist day-to-day. However, if you sign up for a shift, we expect you to be present unless otherwise communicated. Thank you for your cooperation and teamwork!
BIG UPCOMING EVENTS!
Big Upcoming Events require a lot of hands to make them happen! These events are usually outside and weather dependent. If the event gets cancelled or delayed, we will communicate that with you beforehand. Training will be provided on-site unless otherwise noted.
April 19: Earth Day on the Commons- Mechanic Needed
Help us repair bikes on the Commons to celebrate Earth Day with Cornell Cooperative Extension. You should have experience with basic bike repair and be comfortable working with others. Click to see Schedule.
May 3: Bike Sale!
Help us fit participants with the perfect bike! This is an outdoor event. No experience required. Training provided on-site. Click to see Schedule.
May 12: Full Moon Ride Support
Help us with our full moon group rides by managing traffic and keeping the group together. Click here to see our schedule.
COMMUNITY BIKE SHOP
Some of these roles may require Orientation. Please note that after orientation, your first shift will be a training session (if applicable). Our shop is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Front Desk Operator (Intermediate)
No experience required, but you should be comfortable interacting with people face-to-face. The Front Desk Operator is responsible for greeting customers, determining what their needs are, and directing them to the right place. Familiarity with bicycles is great but not necessary. This position also handles transactions and sales during Open Shop hours. Orientation is required. Your first shift is a training session. Click to see the Schedule.
Open Shop Mechanic (Advanced)
Volunteers are responsible for assisting customers with bike repairs and maintenance. Individuals should have experience and a good understanding of bike mechanics. Individuals should also be comfortable interacting with people face-to-face and giving instruction. Additional training and resources are provided. Orientation is required. Your first shift is a training session. Click to see the Schedule.
Shift (FTWN-B) Open Shop Mechanic (Intermediate)
The Shift Program is created for and by femme, women, trans, and non-binary community members to learn and wrench. Volunteers are responsible for assisting customers with bike repairs and maintenance. Individuals should have some understanding of bike mechanics. Individuals should also be comfortable interacting with people face-to-face and relate to the FTWN-B community. Orientation is required. Your first shift is a training session. Click to see the Schedule.
Shop Maintenance (Beginner)
No experience required. Volunteers will assist the Shop Manager with a variety of tasks including organizing/sorting parts, maintaining the workbenches, updating the bike inventory, and moving bikes. Training will be provided on-site. Click to see the Schedule.
In-House Mechanic (Intermediate)
Volunteers are responsible for assisting the Shop Manager in repairing donated bike inventory. Individuals should have some experience and a basic understanding of bike mechanics. Additional training and resources are provided. Orientation is required. Your first shift is a training session. Click to see the Schedule.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Poster Distributor (Beginner)
Help get the word out! Resources provided. Email emme@bikewalktompkins.org to get started.
Summer Concert: Bike Valet (Coming Soon)
PERKS AND BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
The more you get involved with Bike Walk Tompkins, the more ways we have to say thank you! (Engagement is tracked in terms of hours volunteered. This is done when you sign in at the community bike shop computer or schedule online)
All volunteers are eligible for a 15% Greenstar Discount! Please see their website for more information regarding time logging and orientation on their end.
Regular volunteers that commit at least 10 hours per season are eligible for a 15% discount in the shop. Regular volunteers will also receive a BWT shirt and name tag.
Core Volunteers of multiple seasons or demonstrate high commitment are eligible to join our Bike Works Collective that meets every month to discuss shop happenings and make decisions about our community bike shop.