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Update: We've evolved this program to focus on students from low-income families in the Santa Clara and San Meteo counties. Please contact Lucy [at] bikex.org if you need a bike for a low-income student. The info below is for archival purposes only.

The bicycle is the perfect sustainable transportation vehicle. Whether it’s for transportation, exercise or independence, the bike is an invaluable tool for students of all ages.

Read more: Bike Match: Get a Bike, Give a Bike, Fix a Bike

Although our volunteer events are more limited in December, our organization’s needs are not! 

It’s the perfect time to help our mission through a monetary donation. Many employers offer matching funds with limits that expire at the end of the calendar year. Take advantage of the chance to double your impact. We’ve got an easy form to check if your employer has such a program. 

This Tuesday, December 3, is #GivingTuesday, which offers another timely opportunity to make a difference. You could start a #GivingTuesday fundraiser on Facebook to benefit the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange or make a donation on the day and encourage others to do the same.

Read more: Holiday Giving, Employer Match and #GivingTuesday

Need a cheap commuter bike? An affordable used bike to get to school? A bike to ride on the trails with the kids? A classy, vintage ride? The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange likely has a bike to meet your needs.

We sell a portion of our inventory to cover operating expenses which include parts, tools, rent, staff salaries, and insurance. Each bike sold can cover the expenses of refurbishing 4 to 20 bikes that we donate to those in need. (See a list of our recipient partner agencies who give the donated bikes to their clients.)

Bikes can be viewed and purchased either online or during our shop hours, Monday - Wednesday - Friday, 11:00 am - 5:30 pm. (See our calendar for holiday shop closures.) So that we can give you our full attention, we would appreciate if you could book an appointment to stop by. We typically have 50 or more bikes available for sale, of all types and sizes.

Shop our refurbished used bikes online here.

We list most of our bicycles for sale on Craigslist. We recommend purchasing our bikes online if you really want to secure them, since they can sell at any time. You can also take your chances and book an appointment to browse before you buy.

Prices are very reasonable, especially considering they have already been completely refurbished by our experienced mechanics and ride like new (most private party used bike sales require quite a lot of work). When you are buying a refurbished used bike from the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange, we can make some adjustments related to fit on the spot, and you can purchase any accessories we have in stock. Bicycles are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

We sell commuter bikes, classy vintage road bikes, cruisers, singlespeeds, high-end mountain bikes and even an occasional cargo bike. It's not uncommon to find a bike with the coveted Campagnolo Super Record group available for a great price.

In recent years, while we were still at our Leghorn Street location, we held bike sale events there in spring and fall. We were pleased that so many people came to buy bikes, gear and clothing, and we've been pleased to continue such sales at our new 3961 East Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA.

Please note, we carry only a few kids' bikes, as almost all get donated to our partner nonprofits. On occasion, we will have a few high-end kids' bikes available.

You can get a lot of bike for your money by buying used from the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange. And if you're upgrading, consider donating your old bike to the Bicycle Exchange to help those desperate for transportation, and get a tax deduction. Win-win!

Please email photos and details of what you'd like to donate to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If we need it, we'll let you know when you can drop it off.

SVBE will gladly accept and refurbish most bikes to benefit those who need transportation or sell them in our shop to cover operating costs.

We are happy to accept your donation of complete bicycles, bicycle parts, or bicycle accessories. Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a Section 501c(3) non-profit organization, so your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. (Donation receipt available upon request.) Please email us a photo(s) of what you'd like to donate, and we'll give you details of drop-off times and procedures.

Are you debating on whether you should fix up that old bike? Your tax-deductible bike donation often makes more financial sense than spending hundreds of dollars on repair work and parts. When you drop off your donation, consider buying one of our nice, ready-to-ride refurbished bikes.

Most donated bikes are refurbished and then donated to our partner charities, which use them to provide safe and reliable transportation for their clients. We also sell some bikes to fund our repair parts and operations.

Donation Guidelines

We accept bikes of all types and sizes, from tricycles to full-sized adult bicycles. Flat tires and broken or missing parts are no problem, as we have an extensive repair inventory. Our volunteer mechanics can fix almost anything; however, we don't restore paint and we can't reverse corrosion. We do not accept budget department store kids' or adult bikes, because replacement parts for these bikes are too difficult for our volunteers to find and service.

Before donating your bike, ask yourself:

• Could an experienced mechanic make this bike functional and safe in one hour or less?
• Is the bike substantially free of rust and corrosion?
• Is the bike clean enough to offer it as a gift without embarrassment?

If the answers are all "yes" then we can most likely accept accept the bike donation. Please clean up your bike before donating it so we can focus on repairs and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of the bike or parts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule your drop-off. We also accept monetary donations to offset the refurbishing cost.

Each bicycle costs about $50 and requires several volunteer hours to repair and distribute. A monetary donation to cover these costs is appreciated and will keep the cycle going. You're also welcome to stay and learn about our programs and workshops.

While we donate most of our bikes to those needing transportation, racing, vintage or mountain bikes are gladly accepted and could help us fund our refurbishing of many additional bikes for our partner nonprofits.

We do not accept used helmets or cycling shorts. Local organizations such as Sports Basement or your local thrift shop may accept these items.

For valuable, high-end donations, we can arrange a pick-up.

Where and When to Donate Your Bike

Please contact us with a picture and any details about your bike donation. We'll likely take it and give you details of drop-off times. We do not typically do pick-ups, but for large collections or high-value items, we may.

Contact Us

Contact us if you have any questions regarding your donation.

SVBE Donation Impact: What Your Gift Provides to Restore and Donate Bikes

Mail a Check

You don't have to use Paypal or a credit card to donate. We'll happily accept personal checks, or distributions from retirement accounts or foundations. Simply make a check to SVBE and mail it to 3961 East Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, 94303-4313.

Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) for any donation is: 46-1608203.

Double Your Donation with an Employer Match

You can double your impact by having your employer match your donation to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange. Check with your employer to see if it has such a program.

Donating Stock

Donating stock to SVBE can provide greater tax benefits than a cash gift. By donating appreciated stock, you may avoid capital gains tax while receiving a charitable deduction for the full market value, maximizing your impact without affecting your cash flow. Your generous contribution helps us continue our mission.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on how to donate a stock.

Thank you for your generous support! Your donations help us serve smiles to kids and independence and transportation to adults.

Sponsoring SVBE

Is your company looking to make a tangible, local impact while supporting sustainable transportation and community well-being? Partner with Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange and help expand access to safe, reliable bicycles for people across our region.

Through volunteer-powered repair events, swap meets, silent auction fundraisers and offsite repair events offering free basic bike repair to community members in need, SVBE keeps bicycles rolling where they matter most. At the heart of our work is bicycle reuse—refurbishing donated bikes and distributing them through trusted partner organizations to individuals and families who rely on bikes for transportation, work, school and daily life.

Partnering with SVBE demonstrates your organization’s commitment to sustainability, equity and hands-on community engagement. As a sponsor, your company supports practical solutions that strengthen neighborhoods, reduce waste and create healthier, more connected communities—one repaired and donated bike at a time.

Interested? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and review our sponsorship packet here. 

Donating with your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

You can help us sustain this vital work for the long term through thoughtful giving strategies like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and estate planning. DAFs offer immediate tax advantages, while estate gifts ensure your commitment to our mission continues to create impact for generations. If you're exploring these options for your own giving, please consider including SVBE in your plans.

To learn more about supporting SVBE through DAFs or estate planning, please contact our Board of Directors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Let's build a more mobile and equitable community together.

Donating with your IRA

If you’re age 70½ or older, as part of your annual tax documents, you may have received Form 1099-R from your IRA custodian. As you plan for the year ahead, consider a tax-efficient way to support Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange.

Through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), you can make a direct gift from your IRA to SVBE, potentially reduce your tax burden, and strengthen our community. In 2026, up to $111,000 per individual (or $222,000 for married couples) can be excluded from taxable income. If you’re 73 or older, a QCD can satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), may lower your adjusted gross income—helping reduce Medicare premiums and Social Security taxation—and offers benefits even if you don’t itemize deductions.

A QCD lets you support bicycles, safety education, and mobility for those in need in a way that’s both generous and financially strategic. If you’re considering this option, please consult your financial advisor to see how it fits your plans. To learn more, contact our Board of Directors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Join the Basementeer Program

Support Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange every time you shop at Sports Basement! When you join their Basementeer program, you’ll get 10% off all purchases, every day, and Sports Basement will donate 10% of profits from those purchases to the charity you choose—now including SVBE.

Becoming a Basementeer is easy: sign up at any Sports Basement store or online for a one-time $25 fee and select Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange as your beneficiary. Already a Basementeer? You can switch your beneficiary anytime by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and requesting the change.

Round Up at Walmart.com

You can help SVBE with just a few cents every time you shop online at Walmart. Simply sign in to your Walmart.com account, select Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange as your preferred charity, and check the “Round Up” box at checkout. Your order will automatically round up to the nearest dollar, and the spare change will be donated to support our mission.

Thank you for your donation to Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange. PayPal will send you a receipt by email.

The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange has been repairing bicycles and donating to those in need since 1993, thanks to the generous monetary and bicycle donations from people like you.

You can support the Bicycle Exchange and its mission by:

• Donating money (our donation platform below accepts credit cards, Venmo, PayPal and Google Pay)
• Donating a bicycle or equipment
• Buying a used bike or new accessories

The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange is a Section 501c(3) non-profit organization; Employer Identification Number (EIN): 46-1608203. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.