The Lincoln Bike Kitchen transforms lives by
making cycling accessible to everyone.
making cycling accessible to everyone.
Donate Your Gently Used Bicycles
We are in need of kids size bikes -- 20, 24 and 26" (wheel) sizes.
Bring kids bikes 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 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 prefer not to accept bikes that are rusty or take more than one hour to repair.
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.
Bring kids bikes 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 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 prefer not to accept bikes that are rusty or take more than one hour to repair.
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.
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.
Volunteer at LBKWe 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! |
Apply for a BikeADULTS 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 need. Have your sponsor email us at [email protected]. The sponsor should provide their name, contact information, and affiliation with the recipient.
To request a bicycle for a CHILD ages 4-13, submit this form. Child bike size guide:
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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. |
"The best thing about the bike kitchen is that it's volunteering community is helping give transportation and childhood memories to people while building democracy and bringing strangers from different walks of life together." |
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.
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.
Making an Impact
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LBK reached their 2024 goal around Thanksgiving. We continued to donate bikes, resulting in nearly 1,600 bikes donated in 2024!
We are grateful for everyone who donated bikes for us to refurbish. Each bike donated by LBK represents an investment of approximately $40 in repairs, with over 324 bike repairs completed this year alone—equating to more than 200 hours of free labor. With an average national shop labor rate of $99/hour, LBK has donated over $20,000 in labor value to the city of Lincoln in 2024, excluding parts costs. How can you help us reach our 2025 goal?
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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 (take less than an hour) on Monday 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. LBK will be closed Nov 26-30, and Dec. 22-Jan 4. |
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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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