Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (SVBE) began in 1993 repairing bicycles for clients of the Mountain View Community Services Agency (MVCSA). With donations from Xerox Corp., SVBE began renting a small workshop at 2566 Leghorn Street in Mountain View and set up a workshop and regular volunteer workday events to receive and repair used bicycles. Over the next 14 years, the program repaired and donated bicycles and helmets to low-income individuals through its partnership with MVCSA. In 2007, SVBE became a program of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and in 2014 the SVBE was granted IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status and began operating as a separate entity.
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange has developed partnerships with more than 20 organizations throughout the Bay Area to donate bicycles, helmets, locks and lights to those in need. Check out our Recipient Partners page to learn more about these amazing organizations and what they do. SVBE's mission benefits from our partnerships with organizations which support our programs and groups that volunteer with us.
Throughout its operation, SVBE has maintained a strong educational component, teaching bicycle repair skills to thousands of volunteers while refurbishing bikes to donate to charity organizations. We accept volunteers of all mechanical abilities and those with different interests. See our event calendar for new/returning volunteer opportunities and our volunteer roles.
In 2012, SVBE began organizing bicycle safety classes for bicycle recipients, a program currently on hiatus, and in 2014 SVBE launched a Bicycle Exchange program in Santa Cruz, which closed during COVID. As of 2025, we have donated over 12,000 bicycles with the help of over 97,000 volunteer hours.
In 2019, Bicycle Exchange moved to a new workspace at 3961 E. Bayshore Road in Palo Alto.
The Bicycle Exchange is a year-round outdoor activity. On our workdays, we set up canopies and repair stands in the parking lot and roll out our tool and parts carts. Volunteers work in teams on selected bikes for donation that week. Many of our volunteers have never used tools, but experienced volunteer mentors provide guidance through demonstration and explanation of principles. Bikes receive a two-stage safety/quality check before they are cleared for donation or sales. We often hear our volunteers say, “Hey, I learned something new today!” Interested in joining our community? Check out our upcoming events.
