Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Bicycle Education and Repair Center in Cleveland
The Ohio City Bicycle (OCBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting bicycle accessibility and education in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 2002, we operate a 12,000-square-foot bicycle mechanic shop where we refurbish donated bicycles to provide safe, affordable transportation options for community members. Our programs include bike repair and riding classes, community fix-athons, valet bike parking at public events, and guided cycling tours. Through our Pay What You Can initiative, we offer free and discounted bicycles, repairs, and accessories to individuals with financial needs.Our volunteer-driven model combines skilled professionals and community members to foster bicycle literacy, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to cycling resources. We maintain transparent operations through publicly available strategic plans and annual reports, demonstrating our commitment to community partnership and organizational accountability.
Services
Bike rentals
Repair classes
Bicycle thrift store
Pay What You Can program
Community fix-athons
Valet bike parking
Guided cycling tours
Shop use rentals
Bike donations
Volunteer programs
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer free and subsidized bike repairs through our Pay What You Can program
- Our 12,000 sq ft facility provides comprehensive bike education and repair resources
- We've hosted community fix-athons and bike valet services since 2002
- Our volunteer program trains community members in bicycle mechanics and safety
- We maintain transparent operations with publicly available annual reports and strategic plans
What people say
Community-focused programs
Knowledgeable volunteers
Affordable options
Welcoming environment
Valuable education
Services
Bike rentals
We offer group bike rentals for events and tours with options for guided experiences. Our fleet includes basic mountain bikes available for $35 per day with discounts for guided tours at $25 per bike. Delivery services are available within Cuyahoga County for an additional fee. Rentals include helmets, locks, and repair kits with flexible scheduling options for weekday evening and weekend pickups.
Repair classes
Our educational programs teach essential bike maintenance and riding skills through hands-on classes. Participants learn safety checks, flat tire changes, and basic repairs while gaining practical experience in our community workshop. The curriculum caters to all skill levels from beginners to advanced cyclists, emphasizing self-sufficiency and mechanical understanding to promote long-term cycling independence and safety.
Pay What You Can program
This initiative provides free and discounted bicycles, repairs, and accessories to individuals with financial needs. Through donated bikes and volunteer labor, we ensure equitable access to transportation while maintaining quality standards. Eligible participants receive comprehensive support including safety equipment and repair guidance, with no income verification required for basic assistance.
Community fix-athons
We organize free repair sessions at community events and public locations to address bike safety issues. Our mobile repair teams provide on-the-spot fixes for common mechanical problems using donated parts and volunteer expertise. These events prioritize accessibility in underserved neighborhoods without local bike shops, offering loaner bikes during repairs and promoting cycling as sustainable transportation.
Public shop use
Our workshop provides tools, workstations, and expert guidance for self-service bike maintenance. For $5/hour, users access professional equipment and receive technical assistance at $1/minute from experienced mechanics. The facility supports personal repairs while maintaining safety standards, with staff available to supervise complex tasks and ensure proper tool usage in a collaborative community environment.
People
Joe Bashover
President
An engineer by profession, Joe brings technical expertise and personal passion to OCBC after recovering from an accident through cycling. He focuses on strategic growth and operational improvements while maintaining hands-on involvement in bike mechanics and community engagement.
Nick Barbuto
Vice President
With a background in data engineering and business intelligence, Nick contributes process improvement expertise to amplify OCBC's mission. He actively participates in community rides and leverages his professional skills to enhance organizational efficiency and outreach capabilities.
Blake Yoho
Treasurer
A former volunteer coordinator, Blake applies his education and nonprofit experience to financial stewardship. He focuses on sustainable growth strategies while maintaining grassroots connections through hands-on involvement in bike refurbishment and community programs.
Connor O'Brien
Secretary
With five years of nonprofit sector experience, Connor contributes administrative leadership and volunteer coordination expertise. He maintains active involvement in mechanical operations while ensuring organizational compliance with governance standards and community-focused initiatives.
Greg Bonanno
Board Member
A long-time volunteer and former board president, Greg brings event management expertise from Cleveland Clinic and international experience. He focuses on community partnerships and facility operations, maintaining hands-on involvement in bike repair and outreach programs.
Questions
What services does Ohio City Bicycle Co-op offer?
We provide bike rentals, repair classes, a bicycle thrift store, community fix-athons, valet bike parking, and the Pay What You Can program for affordable bike access.
How can I purchase a refurbished bike?
Browse our online shop to select a bike, measure your leg length for proper fit, then schedule pickup during Thursday-Saturday retail hours at our Cleveland location.
Can I volunteer at OCBC?
Yes! Complete our orientation to join weekday volunteer sessions. Opportunities include bike refurbishment, event support, and shop assistance for ages 15+ with adult supervision for minors.
How do fix-athons work?
Our mobile repair teams provide free on-site bike fixes at community events using donated parts and volunteer expertise, prioritizing safety improvements and accessibility in underserved areas.
What's the Pay What You Can program?
This initiative offers free/low-cost bikes and repairs to those with financial needs, requiring no income verification. We provide refurbished bikes, safety equipment, and repair guidance to promote transportation equity.
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