The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op (OCBC) is a volunteer-driven, cooperative bicycle education center that works under the tenets of respect, resourcefulness, and reciprocity. They offer fully refurbished bikes for sale or rent, riding and repair classes, public shop use and repair assistance, hands-on learning, and volunteering for shop credit. Normally, kids and adults can Earn A Bike by doing bike repair tasks in the shop, and by learning and practicing safe-cycling skills. By completing this program, participants earn a refurbished basic mountain bike, with a new helmet and lock, and gain the knowledge to maintain and use it safely. They ask everyone with means to pay with money for items that need to be bought, like locks or brake cables, and they give $5/hour in shop credits to everyone who volunteers, which they may use to buy any donated items and for shop use. This is part of what they mean by “reciprocity.”

But for some, being able to pay the cost of items in the shop or making spare time to volunteer can be difficult.  In those circumstances, the OCBC makes an exception, instead of asking that people pay/volunteer whatever they can, and the OCBC will cover the rest. This policy is the Pay What You Can program. People who can’t afford to pay and/or volunteer aren’t made to, while the people that can are asked to do so more often to cover for those who can’t. Many who benefit from the Pay What You Can program are “necessity cyclists,” people that have to use bikes as their main form of transportation because they don’t have access to cars. In the Central neighborhood of Cleveland, 78% of residents don’t have access to a car. Covid-19 is also creating a greater need for bikes and the Pay What You Can program, especially with health guidelines making volunteering impossible.

To keep the shop open to serve the Cleveland community, OCBC has to pay rent, utilities, insurance, and fairly compensate their small, full-time staff. The goal of this fundraiser is to establish a fund that will offset the cost of bikes and labor costs associated with the Pay What You Can program so that the OCBC can continue to serve its mission, now and in the future. 

Below are testimonials from actual people who’ve benefited from the Pay What You Can program. They highlight the positive impact it can have on the lives of people that need a bike.

“I had my bicycle stolen… OCBC staff informed me of the many immediately available [options,] whole bicycles and the different programs and payment options OCBC has for making these bicycles available to the public. I selected an option that allowed me to participate in preparing a bike for immediate roadworthiness in consideration for volunteer service at OCBC as my income consists solely of a pension award from the Veterans Administration.” - Ryan, 2019

“Unfortunately I made a series of bad decisions after a death in my family. That lead me to prison for six months and now I am trying to put my life together and be there for my pregnant girlfriend. I literally got out today and start working tonight...If I didn't have my bike it would take me double the amount of time to get to work. And that would be taking valuable time away from being there for my girlfriend.” - Terry, 2019

“I am unable to [volunteer/pay] at this time because I am enrolled in [a]  pharmacy tech program at Cuyahoga Community College...I am a [40-year-old] immigrant since 2013 to join my family in Cleveland. A working bicycle would be a small miracle as I commute to my classes, grocery shopping, medical appointments, laundry mat, library, music stores, [and] church...with a bicycle, I also can...be home to prepare dinner in a timely manner.” - David, 2019

“Darius has been in abusive foster care since age 10...when he opened up to his psychologist about the abusive foster home, he was immediately removed by the police from this home...he considers me his best friend...He told me I’m the only one who cares about him without getting paid to care. I can't afford to buy him a bike this year since my finances have changed. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” - Darius, 2017