The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

What The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op does

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op (OCBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bicycle education center incorporated in Ohio in 2002 and headquartered at 1779 Merwin Avenue in Cleveland's Flats neighborhood. The organization operates from a 16,000-square-foot industrial facility and runs an integrated portfolio of services: refurbishing and reselling donated bicycles online and at a Thursday-through-Saturday thrift store, opening a DIY public repair shop ($5/hour for tools, workstation, and stand), running beginner-to-advanced repair classes and Learn-to-Ride instruction, hosting group bike rentals and League-Certified-Instructor-guided tours, providing valet bike parking and Fixathon repair events to event organizers and community partners, and administering a Pay What You Can financial-assistance program that distributed $18,275.37 in bikes, accessories, and repairs to 55 low-income customers in 2023.

The underlying "technology" is operational rather than digital: bicycles are sourced through donations, each unit requiring ~9 volunteer labor hours and roughly $30 in new parts before sale. Distribution spans a physical storefront, a shoplightspeed.com e-commerce channel, an eBay storefront for higher-end parts, and field-deployed services (Fixathons, valet parking, offsite rentals) within Cuyahoga County and broader Northeast Ohio. The organization is volunteer-driven with a credit system ($1/hour of volunteer time) that subsidizes access to parts, accessories, shop time, and classes.

OCBC's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit stack: hardware sales (refurbished bikes and parts), usage-based fees (shop access at $5/hour, staff assistance at $1/minute, group rentals at $35/bike/day, guided tours at $100/hour), unit-priced event services (Fixathons at $1,200 for up to 30 repairs in 3 hours; valet parking at $900 for up to 500 bikes and 8 hours), freemium and donation-based education (beginner classes "pay what you want," private lessons at $300/2 hours), and tax-deductible donations plus foundation and corporate grants. Foundation and corporate funders include the Jochum Moll Foundation, Freeman Foundation, Healthy Lakewood Foundation, Swagelok, and Quality Bicycle Products. Customer segments are distributed across low-income cyclists (PWYC referrals), general community members, corporate and group renters, partner organizations (CDCs, schools, libraries), and major event partners (Burning River Fest, Parade the Circle). In 2025 the founder-led leadership transitioned, with Erik Anderson returning as Executive Director.

Name

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

Legal name

Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

Website

https://ohiocitycycles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit bicycle education center that refurbishes donated bikes, sells them affordably through an online shop and thrift store, runs DIY repair access, classes, tours, and community events, and serves low-income cyclists through a Pay What You Can program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Bicycle Services

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Used & Refurbished Bike Retail (CRAMAHAK), Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH), Bicycle Programs & Bike Share (Parking, Repair, Rentals) (EDALAKAE), Cycling / MTB / E-Bike Guiding & Rentals (THAAALAG)

Keywords

• Community bicycle services
• Refurbished bicycle sales
• DIY bike repair shop
• Bike repair education
• Nonprofit cycling programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Refurbished Bicycle Sales: Sale of volunteer-refurbished used bicycles through online shop and physical thrift store. Bikes are donated, inspected, refurbished to safety standards (~9 hours volunteer time per bike), and sold at affordable prices. 20% of adult bicycle sales utilize Pay What You Can funding.
2. Public Shop Use: DIY repair shop access at $5/hour includes tools, workstation, and stand. Staff mechanic assistance available at $1/minute ($60/hour). Shop use must be scheduled 1 day in advance.
3. Bike and Tour Rentals: Bike rentals for groups of 5+ at $35/bike for one day. Guided tours with League Certified Instructor at $100/hour for up to 15 riders. Rental bike delivery available for $100/trip + U-Haul fees within Cuyahoga County. Bike rentals for guided tours at $25/bike.
4. Education Classes: Beginner bike repair classes offered 'pay what you want' donation basis. Advanced Tune-up Class series available through online store. Private lessons with Executive Director at $300 per 2-hour session. Learn to Ride classes for kids and adults.
5. Fixathon Services: Offsite bicycle repair services at partner locations: up to 30 basic repairs in 3 hours for $1,200. OCBC provides mechanics, tools, parts, insurance. Partner organizations provide venue, publicity, and facilities.
6. Valet Bike Parking: Event-based valet bike parking service at $900 for up to 8 hours parking up to 500 bikes. Additional costs for snow-fence installation ($150) and truck rental ($100). Rack rental available at $25 each per day for self-parking situations.
7. Donations and Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by individual donations, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Donations from individuals are an important part of budget to supplement programs for those who cannot reciprocate.
8. Parts and Accessories Sales: Sale of used and new bicycle parts, tools, accessories, clothing, and supplies through physical store and e-commerce. Higher-end parts sold through eBay store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

OCBC is a nonprofit bicycle education center that refurbishes donated bicycles for affordable resale, rents a DIY repair workspace with tools, and teaches bicycle repair and riding skills through classes. The organization also operates event-based services (valet bike parking, group rentals, guided tours) and community outreach (Fixathons, Pay What You Can financial-assistance program, volunteer programming).

Product overview

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op is a non-profit bicycle education center operating a single unified offering centered on helping people use bicycles. The core portfolio includes a refurbished bicycle sales program (both online and physical thrift store), a community do-it-yourself repair shop with tool access, bicycle repair and riding classes at multiple skill levels, group bike rentals and guided tours, valet bike parking for events, Fixathon community repair events, a Pay What You Can financial assistance program, and volunteer opportunities. All services are designed to increase bicycle access and cycling skills in the Greater Cleveland community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refurbished Bicycles Volunteer-refurbished used bicycles sold through the online shop and physical thrift store at 1779 Merwin Ave, Cleveland. Bikes are donated, inspected, and refurbished to safe-riding standards (averaging ~9 volunteer hours per bike). Available in youth and adult sizes, with 20% of adult sales supported by Pay What You Can funding.
• Public Shop Use (DIY Repair Workspace) DIY bicycle repair workspace available to the public at $5/hour, including tools, workstation, and repair stand. Staff mechanic assistance available at $1/minute ($60/hour). Shop use must be scheduled 1 day in advance, available Wed-Sat by appointment, and payable in cash or with volunteer credits.
• Beginner Bike Repair Classes Donation-based beginner bicycle repair classes offered in person at OCBC. Includes Fix-a-Flat (third Wednesday monthly) and ABC Quick Check (first Wednesday monthly), with an advanced Tune-Up class series available through the online store. Suggested donations: $10 for classroom space, $20 for instructor time, $35 covers instructor time plus assistance for others.
• Learn-to-Ride Instruction Bicycle riding instruction for kids and adults using the balance-bike method. Private lessons available at $300 per 2-hour session with Executive Director Erik Anderson. Financial assistance available for those with hardship.
• Group Bike Rentals Bicycle rentals for groups of 5+ at $35/bike for one day during open hours. Pickup/drop-off Wed noon-8pm, Thurs-Fri noon-5pm, Sat noon-5pm. Delivery available for $100/trip plus U-Haul fees within Cuyahoga County, $2/mile beyond. Rental bikes for guided tours available at $25/bike.
• Guided Cleveland Tours Guided Cleveland tours led by a League Certified Instructor at $100/hour for up to 15 riders, with an additional guide required for each additional 15 riders. Custom tours up to 5 hours available, including 2-hour themed sightseeing tours of Downtown Cleveland and a 7-10 mile Industrial Flats tour along the Towpath Trail.
• Valet Bike Parking Event-based secure bicycle parking service at $900 for up to 8 hours accommodating up to 500 bikes, including minor on-site repairs. Additional $150 for snow-fence installation/removal; $100 truck rental; $25 per rack per day for self-parking rack rental. Active at events such as Burning River Fest and Parade the Circle.
• Fixathon Offsite Repair Events Offsite community bicycle repair events at partner locations, with up to 30 basic repairs in 3 hours for $1,200. OCBC provides 3 mechanics, tools, supplies, parts, delivery within Cleveland, and insurance; the partner provides venue, publicity, and facilities.
• Bicycle Parts and Accessories Sales Sale of used and new bicycle parts, tools, accessories, clothing, and supplies through the physical thrift store and Lightspeed-powered online shop, with higher-end parts sold through a separate eBay store.
• Pay What You Can Program Financial assistance program providing refurbished bikes, repairs, and accessories (helmets, locks, lights) to low-income cyclists meeting eligibility guidelines (income <150-200% federal poverty line, enrollment in SNAP/Medicaid/SSDI/Section 8, or shelter/treatment-program residence). In 2023 the program delivered $18,275.37 in assistance to 55 customers, covering 35 bike purchases and 8 repairs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $18,275.37 in bikes, accessories, and repairs provided to 55 customers in 2023 through Pay What You Can program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canalway PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2026Collaborating organization for Industrial Flats bicycle tour event. OCBC thanked Canalway Partners for collaboration on the 7-10 mile group ride through historic industrial landmarks.
• Cleveland Public Library (CPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting literacy and access to resources. Joint programming potential for education initiatives. Logo displayed on Sponsors & Supporters page.
• Bike ClevelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bicycle advocacy organization. All refurbished bike sales include 1-year trial membership from Bike Cleveland as part of partnership.
• MAGNET (Ohio Means Jobs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development organization. Partner supporting employment and skills programs. Logo displayed on Sponsors & Supporters page.
• Akron Bike (ABC)minorOthersAkron-area bicycle organization. Community supporter listed on Sponsors & Supporters page.
• NP4CLEminorOthersLocal Cleveland community organization. Supporter listed on Sponsors & Supporters page.
• Burning River FestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual public event where OCBC provides valet bike parking services, making events more attractive to cyclists.
• Parade the Circle (Cleveland Museum of Art)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge public event where OCBC provides valet bike parking, helping organizers produce events more attractive to cyclists and safer for all.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boise Bike Project: Boise, Idaho nonprofit operating a community bike shop, refurbished bike sales, and educational programs with volunteer labor. Highly comparable community bike co-op model in a different regional market.
• Bikes Not Bombs: Boston-based nonprofit using bicycles as a vehicle for social change, including a refurbished bike shop (Bike Shop) and Earn-A-Bike youth program. Highly comparable nonprofit model with youth education and affordable bike sales.
• Working Bikes: Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects donated bicycles, refurbishes them with volunteer labor, and distributes them locally and internationally. Closest direct comparable to OCBC in mission, model, and scale.
• Yellow Bike Project: Austin, TX community bicycle cooperative offering DIY repair space, classes, refurbished bike sales, and volunteer-powered operations. Directly comparable in service mix and community-driven model.
• Community Cycling Center: Portland, Oregon nonprofit combining bike repair education, refurbished bike sales, and youth/community programs. Closely mirrors OCBC's mix of retail, education, and mission-driven programming.
• The Recyclery Collective: Chicago-based nonprofit bicycle cooperative selling donated refurbished bikes, offering DIY shop space, and partnering with community organizations. Directly comparable community bicycle co-op with similar services and affordability mission.

Others

• Quality Bicycle Products (QBP): Minnesota-based bicycle industry distributor and OCBC funder/partner. Serves as an upstream supplier to the cycling ecosystem; relevant as a funder relationship rather than a direct competitor.
• League of American Bicyclists: National bicycle advocacy and education organization promoting cycling through policy, education, and community programs. Comparable in educational mission and community-cycling programming at a national scale.

Regional players

• Bike Cleveland: Cleveland-based bicycle advocacy organization that is an OCBC strategic partner, bundling 1-year memberships with OCBC bike sales. Comparable in Cleveland cycling ecosystem but focused on advocacy/policy rather than direct retail/services.

Broad incumbents

• REI Co-op: National outdoor retail co-op offering new bike sales, repair services, classes, and community programs across the U.S. Overlaps with OCBC on co-op structure, bike retail/service, and educational classes but operates at vastly greater scale and as a for-profit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ohiocitycycles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohiocitycycles

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op