SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE
- Legal name
- Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange
- Website
- https://bikex.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Bicycle Refurbishment and Resale
- NAICS
- Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance (8114)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Used & Refurbished Bike Retail (CRAMAHAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops (CRAMAHAH), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)
Keywords
Where SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Retail Bike Sales: SVBE sells a portion of its refurbished bike inventory to cover operating expenses including parts, tools, rent, staff salaries, and insurance. Higher-end bikes are typically tagged blue for retail. The shop has 50+ bikes available at any time. Revenue from bike sales funds the refurbishment of additional bikes for donation.
- Financial Donations: Individual donors contribute money via the organization's secure DonorView platform, by mailing checks, through employer matching programs, stock donations, donor-advised funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Walmart.com Round-Up program. These donations support bike refurbishment, safety equipment, and operational costs.
- Sports Basement Basementeer Program: Sports Basement's Basementeer loyalty program donates 10% of profits from participating customers who select SVBE as their beneficiary. Customers pay a one-time $25 fee to join and choose SVBE as their charity, generating passive donation revenue.
- Corporate Volunteer Event Donations: Companies hosting team-building volunteer events at SVBE are asked to make a suggested donation of $50 per corporate volunteer participant, helping cover parts used during repair events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Shop Mechanic (paid staff) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange accepts donated used bicycles, refurbishes them through a 22-point inspection and two-stage quality assurance (QA1 and QA2), and redistributes them through two channels: free donation to individuals in need via 20+ partner service organizations, and retail sale of higher-end refurbished bikes (50+ in shop inventory) at the Palo Alto workshop and online at shop.bikex.org, with sales revenue funding further refurbishment and operations. The organization also offers volunteer-led hands-on bike repair education through scheduled repair events and corporate team-building sessions.
Product overview
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (SVBE/BikeX) is a Section 501c(3) nonprofit bicycle exchange that operates as a dual-purpose organization combining bicycle refurbishment/donation with retail sales. The core offerings include a Refurbished Bicycle Donation Program (accepting and repairing donated bikes for distribution to those in need) and a Refurbished Bicycle Retail Sales program (selling higher-end bikes to fund operations). Supporting programs include Volunteer Bicycle Repair Events, Veterans Repair Days, Swap Meets, Parking Lot Sales, Thaco Thursdays community rides, Corporate Team-Building Events, the Homework Bike Program, Youth Volunteer Programs, and Financial Donation options. An online shop (shop.bikex.org) and Tech Tips educational resources round out the service portfolio. The organization serves the community through partnerships with 20+ service organizations and relies on approximately 822 annual volunteers contributing over 13,000 hours.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Refurbished Bicycles (Retail Sales) Used bicycles refurbished through SVBE's 22-point inspection and two-stage (QA1/QA2) quality assurance process and sold at reasonable used-bike prices at the Palo Alto shop and online at shop.bikex.org. Higher-end bikes are tagged blue for retail. Cash, card, and Square payments accepted. Inventory includes commuter, vintage road, cruiser, mountain, and cargo bikes, and is also listed on Craigslist.
- Corporate Team-Building Volunteer Events Customized half-day team-building volunteer experiences for Bay Area corporate groups (up to 25 participants), featuring hands-on bike repair activities alongside SVBE volunteers at the Palo Alto workshop. Companies contribute a suggested donation of $50 per participant to cover parts used during the session.
- Veterans Repair Days Program Dedicated repair and bike-education events held in partnership with the VA Palo Alto Health Care System's Recreation Therapy program, providing veterans with free bike repairs and mechanical skills training as part of SVBE's expanding veteran outreach.
- Online Storefront (shop.bikex.org) E-commerce storefront powered by Shopify where refurbished used bikes, parts, and accessories are listed, browsed, and purchased remotely. Supports both shippable items and Square-scheduled in-person pickups at the Palo Alto shop.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ bikes donated since 1993
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature2 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Western Wheelers Bicycle ClubcoreWestern Wheelers co-hosts the monthly Thaco Thursdays with a View community ride series with SVBE. The ride series runs May–October, with routes of 20–30 miles, ending at Taqueria La Cazuela in East Palo Alto. Western Wheelers members participate in volunteer events and have referred volunteers to SVBE.
- Sports BasementcoreSVBE was selected as a beneficiary of Sports Basement's Basementeer loyalty program, which offers members 10% off all purchases every day and donates 10% of profits from those purchases to a charity of the member's choice. Customers join for a $25 one-time fee and select SVBE as their beneficiary.
- City of Palo AltocoreSVBE has a strategic partnership with the City of Palo Alto focused on transportation equity, expanding bike access for local students. This is part of SVBE's broader goal to address transportation barriers in the region.
- City of South San FranciscocoreSVBE has a strategic partnership with the City of South San Francisco to expand bike access for local students through transportation equity programs.
- Veterans Association (V.A.) Palo Alto Health Care SystemcoreSVBE launched Veterans Repair Days in 2025 in partnership with the V.A. Palo Alto Health Care System's Recreation Therapy program, providing veterans with free bike repairs and bicycle education. This partnership is part of SVBE's expanding reach into serving veteran populations.
- Catholic Worker HousecoreCatholic Worker House receives 20–30 bikes from SVBE approximately five times per year. They distribute bikes to guests in Redwood City who need transportation for jobs, medical appointments, and daily life. Catholic Worker House is not a nonprofit and has given out approximately 2,000 bikes since 1975.
- Hope's CornercoreHope's Corner distributes bikes to guests using its shower, laundry, and meal services. The organization has developed its own bike repair program and is looking to repair 700 bikes in the current year. SVBE provides bikes and support to Hope's Corner recipients.
- Silicon Valley Bicycle CoalitionminorSilicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) is SVBE's former parent organization and remains a sister organization. SVBE partners with and donates small sums to SVBC, which focuses on cycling advocacy and infrastructure rather than direct bike donation. SVBE describes the region as having a 'bicycle ecosystem' with different species including advocacy groups, bike shops, and charity organizations.
- Mountain View Community Services AgencycoreSVBE was originally founded under the Mountain View Community Services Agency in 1993. The agency offers services to those on low and fixed incomes. SVBE maintains a longstanding partnership with this organization for coordinating bike distribution.
- GoogleminorGoogle sponsored SVBE's move to its current warehouse location at 3961 East Bayshore Road in Palo Alto in 2019, providing the organization with its current operational facility. This is a key enabling relationship for SVBE's operations.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Sports Basement: Bay Area sporting goods retailer that runs SVBE's Basementeer charity donation program — comparable as a regional cycling-adjacent retail partner and ecosystem participant.
Direct peers
- Bikes Not Bombs: Boston-area nonprofit that refurbishes donated bikes for redistribution to youth and international development programs; closely mirrors SVBE's volunteer-refurbish-donate model and youth workforce training approach.
- Community Cycling Center: Portland-based nonprofit offering bike repair education, refurbished bike sales, and community access programs — comparable to SVBE in combining repair training, retail, and equity-focused distribution.
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-op: Multi-city nonprofit bike co-op offering refurbished bike sales, repair education, and community programs — directly comparable in hybrid nonprofit-retail model.
- Working Bikes: Chicago nonprofit that refurbishes donated bikes and redistributes them domestically and internationally, with retail sales funding operations — a near-twin operating model to SVBE.
- Good Karma Bikes: San Jose-based nonprofit bike refurbishment and donation organization founded by SVBE founder Dave Fork; operates the same volunteer-powered refurbish-and-donate / retail hybrid model as SVBE.
- Yellow Bike Project: Austin nonprofit community bike shop running volunteer-powered repair events, refurbished bike sales, and educational programs — directly comparable in community bike shop model and earned revenue mix.
- Free Ride Community Bike Shop: Pittsburgh volunteer-run community bike shop offering repair space, refurbished bike sales, and education — comparable in volunteer-powered operations and social-mission orientation.
- The Bicycle Collective: Network of community bike shops running volunteer-driven repair events and earn-a-bike programs; operates the same DIY repair + refurbished resale model as SVBE.
Broad incumbents
- The Pro's Closet: Largest US retailer of certified used bikes with national e-commerce reach — overlaps with SVBE on the used/refurbished bike retail side but is a for-profit scaled incumbent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE social profiles
Digital presenceSILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE
What does SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE do?
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange accepts donated used bicycles, refurbishes them through a 22-point inspection and two-stage quality assurance (QA1 and QA2), and redistributes them through two channels: free donation to individuals in need via 20+ partner service organizations, and retail sale of higher-end refurbished bikes (50+ in shop inventory) at the Palo Alto workshop and online at shop.bikex.org, with sales revenue funding further refurbishment and operations. The organization also offers volunteer-led hands-on bike repair education through scheduled repair events and corporate team-building sessions.
Is SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE a public or private company?
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE founded?
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE based?
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Bike Sales are the primary driver. The others are financial Donations, sports Basement Basementeer Program and corporate Volunteer Event Donations.
Who are SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE's main competitors?
Sports Basement is listed as an others. Direct peers are Bikes Not Bombs, Community Cycling Center, Revolutions Bicycle Co-op, Working Bikes, Good Karma Bikes, Yellow Bike Project, Free Ride Community Bike Shop and The Bicycle Collective. The Pro's Closet is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE have an API?
No public API is recorded for SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE.
What industry is SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE in?
SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE EXCHANGE's product category is Nonprofit Bicycle Refurbishment and Resale. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAHAK, Used & Refurbished Bike Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAHAH, Bike Service, Repair & Maintenance Shops. Its NAICS code is 8114 and its SIC code is 7600.