At Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange, we have launched Veteran Repair Days in partnership with Veterans Association (V.A.) Palo Alto Health Care System’s Recreation Therapy. Held twice monthly on Tuesdays from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, the program offers local Veterans a low-key, supportive environment to learn bicycle repair skills while helping to refurbish bikes for donation in support of our mission to donate 900 repaired bicycles this year.
These sessions are intentionally smaller and quieter than SVBE’s usual public events, providing a more relaxed space where Veterans of all skill levels can work at their own pace. Each participant helps repair bikes that will either be donated to individuals in need through SVBE’s partner organizations or sold to sustain the shop’s nonprofit work. The longer-term goal for this program is to have Veterans in this group work towards a more independent and truly community-based volunteer experience with SVBE.
The program centers around hands-on learning and community building. It also creates a meaningful opportunity for Veterans to connect with one another while developing practical mechanical skills. Many of the program’s volunteer mentor mechanics are Veterans themselves or have close ties to the Veteran community, bringing not only technical knowledge but also a thoughtful, individualized mentoring approach. Their presence helps ensure that the experience is both welcoming and constructive—offering not just instruction, but genuine camaraderie.
SVBE extends deep thanks to these volunteers and our newest program participants for showing up again and again, making this program a success within and for our community.
