Phoenix Bikes

Colin and John discussing shop A mythical bird that never dies, the phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space. It represents our capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it. - The Feng Shui Handbook Phoenix Bikes, a non-profit youth-focused community bike shop based in South Arlington, shares this "capacity for vision" with its namesake. Led by passionate cyclists Colin Dixon (rides to work about twelve miles each way) and John Harpold (owner of "thirty or so bikes in my basement"), Phoenix Bikes has struck a chord - a chord that resonates with youth education organizations, local cycling advocates, and last but not least, the under-privileged community that it serves. But the DC community almost lost this voice... In late 2006, Community Spokes, an Arlington County government program with a similar focus as Phoenix Bikes, shut its doors due to low participation. However, supporters banded together to convince the county to allow the program to keep its grant (as well as its cement-block shed headquarters in Barcroft Park [map]) and rebrand itself as an independent, non-profit organization. Two years after its reopening, Phoenix Bikes is thriving in no small part to its modified business plan. Like a for-profit shop, Phoenix Bikes sells used bikes and offers low-cost repairs. But it does this while providing a safe-haven for local youth and teaching valuable skills, both bike and life-related. With an expanding slate of programs (including Earn-A-Bike, Team Phoenix youth rides, and Volunteer Shop Night), broad community support, and increasing national exposure - the Phoenix is indeed rising. Organization Type: Non-profit 501(c)(3) Donations - Monetary: http://www.phoenixbikes.org/ or Network for Good Donations - Bicycle: http://www.phoenixbikes.org/en/support/donate-a-bike Share/Save/Bookmark Tags: Northern Virginia Bicycle Advocacy Youth Focus