BikeHouston's Inge Ford led bike skills training.

Bikes equal freedom

The goal of Freewheels Houston is to give people freedom by giving them mobility.

Through the generosity of Houstonians and the work of resourceful volunteers, we give used bikes to provide people with the freedom to pursue a new life in Houston by enhancing their mobility.

Our business model is simple:

  • We ask Houstonians to donate used bicycles.
  • We rely on volunteer mechanics to repair bikes.
  • We distribute bikes to people who need a way to work, school or other destinations including refugees, teenagers and veterans emerging from homelessness.

Freewheels Houston was established in 2015 by members of Christ the King Lutheran Church and volunteers in the bicycling community. We became a Texas nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status in 2019.

We have strong partnerships with schools, faith communities, refugee resettlement agencies, veterans’ service organizations. PAIR Houston–the Partnership for Advancement & Immersion of Refugees–is a nonprofit operating after-school programs for refugees at five Houston schools and Freewheels’ partner in the 2018 Bike Camp for refugee middle school students. Rice Bikes, a student-run business on the Rice University campus, has repaired dozens of bikes for refugees. Several bike shops–including REI, Blue Line Bike Lab, Sugar Cycles, Society Cycle Works, Planetary Cycles and Bike Barn have provided used bikes, parts and advice. Legacy Community Health and the Texas Medical Association have provided helmets for bike recipients through the Hard Hats for Little Heads program.