The Lincoln Bike Kitchen transforms lives by
making cycling accessible for people in need.
making cycling accessible for people in need.
Apply for a Bike
ADULTS
Adults can request a bicycle through a sponsor, such as an agency staff member, doctor, pastor/priest, or counselor—someone who can confirm your need for a bicycle due to financial or situational barriers. To request a bike, have the SPONSOR email us at [email protected]. The sponsor should provide their name, contact information, and affiliation with the recipient.
KIDS
LBK serves children & families in our community experiencing financial or situational barriers. Situational barriers means a household challenge that makes it difficult to afford a bike right now (such as job loss, illness, or unexpected costs). Our program is intended for families facing financial or situational barriers, such as: SNAP/WIC/EBT, free or reduced school lunch, Medicaid/CHIP, housing instability, unemployment or reduced work hours, or other financial or household challenges.
Adults can request a bicycle through a sponsor, such as an agency staff member, doctor, pastor/priest, or counselor—someone who can confirm your need for a bicycle due to financial or situational barriers. To request a bike, have the SPONSOR email us at [email protected]. The sponsor should provide their name, contact information, and affiliation with the recipient.
KIDS
LBK serves children & families in our community experiencing financial or situational barriers. Situational barriers means a household challenge that makes it difficult to afford a bike right now (such as job loss, illness, or unexpected costs). Our program is intended for families facing financial or situational barriers, such as: SNAP/WIC/EBT, free or reduced school lunch, Medicaid/CHIP, housing instability, unemployment or reduced work hours, or other financial or household challenges.
Volunteer at LBK
We welcome volunteers of all skill levels at LBK. There are many ways to get involved beyond bike repair. The first step is to attend an orientation. During your orientation, you’ll discover the variety of tasks volunteers can assist with. It takes a dedicated team to get each bicycle ready for its new owner!
Sign up for your volunteer orientation here. Plan to arrive at the City Municipal Building, 308 S. 21st Street, at 10 a.m. on the orientation day you choose. There's plenty of parking and bike racks in front of the building. Come to the front door and ring the bell. The orientation should take 30 minutes or less. We look forward to seeing you!
Sign up for your volunteer orientation here. Plan to arrive at the City Municipal Building, 308 S. 21st Street, at 10 a.m. on the orientation day you choose. There's plenty of parking and bike racks in front of the building. Come to the front door and ring the bell. The orientation should take 30 minutes or less. We look forward to seeing you!
Donate Your Gently Used Bicycles
LBK will accept gently used bikes. Bring your bike to LBK at 308 S. 21st. Street, located near Open Harvest and Lewis Ball Field. Drive to the back of the building and place in the bike racks. Please donate only during our open shop hours to ensure bikes aren't stolen.
Watch this video to see if your bike is in good condition. We will politely decline bikes that are damaged, rusty, or are in need of significant repairs.
Don't have a bike to donate? Some folks have purchased bikes and donated them to LBK. You can also share our social media posts or organize a neighborhood bike drive. We're grateful for all the help.
Watch this video to see if your bike is in good condition. We will politely decline bikes that are damaged, rusty, or are in need of significant repairs.
Don't have a bike to donate? Some folks have purchased bikes and donated them to LBK. You can also share our social media posts or organize a neighborhood bike drive. We're grateful for all the help.
2,200 Bikes—and What Comes Next
In 2025, the Lincoln Bike Kitchen distributed 2,200 bicycles, reaching our goal around Thanksgiving and continuing to serve our community through the end of the year. That’s nearly 40% more than last year’s goal, and a reflection of both growing need and a community that consistently shows up.
While we’re proud of this milestone, LBK has never been about chasing bigger numbers year after year. Each bike represents a person—someone gaining access to work, school, healthcare, or simply the freedom to get where they need to go.
As we look ahead, our focus is shifting. Rather than pushing to exceed 2,200 bikes, 2026 will be about expanding outreach—connecting with more partners, reaching people who don’t yet know we exist, and ensuring our services are accessible to those who need them most.
How you can be part of what’s next:
While we’re proud of this milestone, LBK has never been about chasing bigger numbers year after year. Each bike represents a person—someone gaining access to work, school, healthcare, or simply the freedom to get where they need to go.
As we look ahead, our focus is shifting. Rather than pushing to exceed 2,200 bikes, 2026 will be about expanding outreach—connecting with more partners, reaching people who don’t yet know we exist, and ensuring our services are accessible to those who need them most.
How you can be part of what’s next:
- Share LBK with your networks and community groups
- Volunteer during open shop hours
- Donate gently used bikes at 308 S. 21st Street
- Support our work with a financial contribution to help cover parts, rent, locks, and helmets
LBK Accepts Gently Used Bikes
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LBK will accept gently used bikes. We will politely decline bikes that are damaged, rusty, or are in need of significant repairs.
We only accept donations during our open hours. Due to the high level of theft in the area, we ask that you don’t leave bikes outside when we’re closed to ensure your donation reaches us safely. If you are donating several bikes at once, please make sure they are in good used condition. We may refuse bikes that aren't repairable. If we can't accept your bike, we recommend taking it to Alter Metal Recycling. To make arrangements for a large drop off, please make arrangements with us first. |
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To donate a gently used bike, proceed to the back entrance of the City Muny Building near the LBK bike annex.
We're located at 308 S. 21st Street, Lincoln, northeast corner of the parking lot.
Due to high theft in the area...
PLEASE DONATE DURING OPEN SHOP HOURS ONLY.
Bike Sale Fundraiser Meets Matching Grant
LBK is proud to announce the success of our fall bike sale fundraiser, thanks to a generous matching grant from Modern Woodmen of America.
The fundraising event successfully met the grant match, which will directly support our mission to provide affordable transportation to those in need. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with Modern Woodmen and their commitment to "improve the quality of life for families and their communities." Their support has been invaluable to us over the years, one bicycle at a time.
Finally, thank you to everyone who purchased a bicycle during our sale. Your support was essential in helping us meet this grant challenge, directly contributing to our mission. Our next fundraiser sale will be in the spring of 2026, likely in April or May.
The fundraising event successfully met the grant match, which will directly support our mission to provide affordable transportation to those in need. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with Modern Woodmen and their commitment to "improve the quality of life for families and their communities." Their support has been invaluable to us over the years, one bicycle at a time.
Finally, thank you to everyone who purchased a bicycle during our sale. Your support was essential in helping us meet this grant challenge, directly contributing to our mission. Our next fundraiser sale will be in the spring of 2026, likely in April or May.
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Partnering for Purpose: Lincoln Bike Kitchen and Goodwill Industries
The Lincoln Bike Kitchen (LBK) is proud to partner with Goodwill Industries Serving Southeast Nebraska, Inc. to expand access to reliable transportation and strengthen our shared commitment to community support. Good-condition bikes donated to Goodwill are sold in their local thrift stores, where the revenue funds life-changing employment programs in Southeast Nebraska. However, many of the bicycles donated to Goodwill need repairs that fall outside of their current resources. Through this partnership, those bikes now find a new home at the Lincoln Bike Kitchen, where our volunteers repair and refurbish them. Once ready to ride, these bikes are donated to individuals and families in need—extending the life of the bicycles and multiplying their impact across our community. Together, Goodwill and the Lincoln Bike Kitchen are creating opportunities for mobility, independence, and brighter futures—one bike at a time. To learn more about Goodwill, visit To learn more about Goodwill, visit www.lincolngoodwill.org. |
What's Happening
Check out this 30-bike load that went to Everett Elementary to get more kiddos on bikes!
LBK partners with LPS schools through their community learning centers or a coordinator to get kids on bikes.
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Gina Simanek and Chris Stewart with the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska present Leslie Taylor (middle) with a bike restored by LBK mechanics. Several years ago, Leslie had a near-death experience that resulted in a brain injury, and is now helping other brain injury survivors.
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These twins were overjoyed receiving their bikes from LBK. By refurbishing donated bikes, we help kids experience the joy of riding and connect with their community!
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LBK Hours
Open Hours Monday: 9 a.m.-Noon, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m.-Noon Wednesday: 1-4 p.m. Thursday: 5-8 p.m. Sunday: 1-3 p.m. Bike donations are accepted during these hours. LBK provides free basic repairs (flats, brake and derailleur adjustments, etc.) on Monday and Thursday nights, 5-7:30 p.m. CLOSED LBK follows Lincoln Public Schools' closures for snow days and similar events. We are closed on major holidays. |
Here for the Community
The Lincoln Bike Kitchen is a community-building organization that provides bicycles and related resources to all people. We advocate for utilitarian bicycling as a vital part of a healthy, equitable and sustainable community. We connect cycling to broader environmental and social issues through outreach, and education.
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Meet the Staff: Ruby Hoffman & Wayne SchaferAt the Lincoln Bike Kitchen, we’re fortunate to have a talented team of people who keep our mission rolling—like Ruby Hoffman and Wayne Schafer, two of our dedicated shop leaders and skilled mechanics.
Wayne brings decades of experience as a former bicycle shop owner. His keen eye for detail, deep knowledge of bike components, and commitment to quality repairs help ensure every bike leaving our shop is safe, reliable, and ready to ride. Ruby, a certified bicycle mechanic through the United Bicycle Institute, combines technical skill with a passion for education and community connection. Her training in shop operations and her background in foreign languages strengthen LBK’s welcoming, inclusive environment for all riders. Together, Ruby and Wayne embody the heart of the Lincoln Bike Kitchen—sharing their expertise, mentoring volunteers, and helping more people in Lincoln enjoy the freedom and opportunity that a bicycle provides. |
Our Location
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The Lincoln Bike Kitchen is open in our new location in the City Muny Building at 308 S. 21st Street. This iconic building, constructed in the 1920s, originally served as the bathhouse for the Municipal Pool, which was a central part of Lincoln’s community life until the early 1970s. We're excited to continue our mission in this local historic landmark.
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