Free Bike Shop Events & Programs
The Crucible’s Bike Shop is dedicated to making bike repair and maintenance more accessible to our local community. Our neighbors and community members are invited to stop by the Bike Shop for free bike repairs and maintenance, as well as instruction on how to properly maintain their bicycles. Please see below for ways you can get involved with our free bike programming.
Free Bike Maintenance Programs
WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) Night
Every Tuesday, 4-8 PM
Enter through our main student entrance
WTF (Women, Trans, Femme) Night is a diverse, inclusive, and accessible volunteer-run event for folks who hold marginalized gender identities. The Crucible and our Bike Shop are committed to bringing the many faces of our community together to create and inspire.
Folks are welcome to drop in for free instruction on maintaining their bike. This event is available to all community members, free of charge. Anybody can drop in, get their bike fixed, and learn how to do repairs independently all while building community.
Crucible Staff Night
Every Wednesday, 4-8 PM
Crucible volunteers and staff practice their repair skills and rehab bikes for the community as well as their own. Hands-on, fun, and all skill levels welcome!
For Crucible volunteers and staff only. Not open to the public.
Open Bike Shop
Every Thursday, 4-8 PM
Enter at the corner of 8th and Union Streets
Free instruction on maintaining your bike for West Oakland and neighboring community members. Open Shop hours are perfect for tackling flats and tune-ups if you want to be involved in the process. No previous experience is necessary!
- Learn to fix bikes
- Learn to true wheels
- Help fix bikes for the community
- Learn to fix your own bike
We have a limited number of nightly slots for same-day bike repair drop-offs (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) so local residents can ride away ready to go!
What we do not fix:
Electric bikes • Hydraulic brakes • Derailleur hangers • Welding/repairing damaged frames • Broken internal gear hubs
- Electric Bikes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Derailleur Hangers
- Welding/Repairing Damaged Frames
- Broken Internal Gear Hubs
Earn-A-Bike Program
The Earn-A-Bike Program provides West Oakland youth ages 10-18 with hands-on experience in welding and bike mechanics. In this four-week program, youth work with Crucible faculty and volunteer bike mechanics to fix donated bikes, repairing two and keeping one. The other bike is sold to raise money to support our Bike Program.
Participants can apply for this free program on a rolling basis with sessions running throughout the year.
West Oakland Bike Summit
This annual event is an opportunity for bike lovers of all ages to come together, connect with the community, and learn more about local bike resources. Enjoy free bike repairs, panel discussions, local vendors, safety demonstrations, food, drinks, and so much more.
Getting Here
The Crucible is conveniently located near BART and AC Transit. We encourage public transportation as our parking lot is small.
BART
From the West Oakland BART Station, exit onto 7th Street, turn right and walk 2 blocks east to Union (at the 2nd light). The Crucible is on the northwest corner of 7th & Union, at 1260 7th Street. To plan your BART trip, visit www.bart.gov.
AC Transit & 511.org
Parking
The Crucible has a small parking lot on the corner of 7th & Union. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis, but will not be available during events. Street parking is available on 7th Street to the west of Union.
Please do not block the Union Street entrance marked in red, the 7th Street entrance, or the roll up doors. Please do not park in lots owned by local businesses—they will tow your car.
Your Guide to The Bike Shop
The Crucible’s online guides allow folks to access the vast knowledge of our 150+ faculty from anywhere in the world. Check out our Bike Maintenance Guide and our Bike Repair Guide to learn how to keep your ride road-ready.
Questions? Contact Us
info@thecrucible.org
(510) 444-0919
The West Oakland Bike Resource Hub
The West Oakland Bike Resource Hub is funded in part by the California Air Resources Board’s Sustainable Transportation Equity Project, which is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
