CoMo Bike Co-op

About the CoMo Bike Co-op

Located at the Armory Sports and Recreation Center, 701 E. Ash. In an effort to support the transportation needs of the community, the CoMo Bike Co-op offers free bicycle repair and refurbished, low-cost bicycles for a suggested donation. Our target demographic is underserved adults with transportation needs for work, school, and basic activities of daily living. The free repair program is the primary function of the Co-op.  Ancillary programs include repurposing and rehabilitating bicycles that have been donated to the Co-op. Repurposed bicycles (predominantly bike-shop quality) are then offered to the community for a suggested donation and/or distributed via partnering organizations. Co-op services assist community residents in eliminating economic barriers to owning a bicycle. Sustainable management practices support landfill diversion. Due to funding constraints, the Co-op is open for limited hours on Mondays from 2 – 6 p.m. Columbia Parks and Recreation manages year-round programming. The Bike Co-op opened on January 7, 2018. 

Contact information

Programs

Free bicycle repair*

Hours: Mondays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (closed on holidays and hours are subject to change).  Services are available first come, first served. Note: We often meet maximum capacity toward the end of the day. Once we meet maximum capacity and due to lack of storage we may ask you to return the following week.

We will be closed the following Mondays as noted:

  • Extreme winter weather closure dates as observed by Columbia Public Schools

Mechanics provide general maintenance including parts (the majority of parts are repurposed with some exceptions – i.e. tubes, chains and brake pads). General services include:  innertube patching/replacement, brake/cable adjustments, wheel truing and derailleur repairs. Repairs are limited to supplies available at the time of the repair.  Cyclists who have the financial means to do so are encouraged (not required) to purchase items (i.e. brake pads, tires/tubes and chains)  from local retailers prior to arriving at the Co-op. Service is limited to one bicycle per person per session and is first come first served. 

*Please visit a local bicycle shop for the equipment listed below as we are unable to provide services for:

  • Adult tricycles and recumbent bicycles
  • Electric bicycles
  • Hydraulic brakes
  • Bike assembly or a partial-complete rebuild

As of December 31, 2023, Co-op staff and volunteers have assisted 2,407 individuals during our Walk-in Repair shop hours. The majority of these individuals cycle out of necessity and do so on well-worn, cheap bicycles that are priceless in regard to meeting daily needs.  

Pre-owned bicycles available for a suggested donation

(all proceeds benefit the Bike Co-op)

Pre-owned bicycles are refurbished and available for a suggested donation. Suggested donations typically range from $25 – $200 with most in the $100 -$150 range.  Bicycles are available for viewing on Mondays from 2 – 6 p.m.  Call 573.441.5495. We typically have dozens of bicycles for sale in rideable condition. A list of available bicycles can be requested by emailing Janet.Godon@CoMo.gov.  We pride ourselves in offering high-quality brands including the following: Raleigh, Trek, Specialized, Diamondback, Giant, K2, Univega, Fuji, Gary Fischer, Schwinn, and Klein.  All sales are final and merchandise is sold as-is (free repair service on Mondays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m). Payment Terms:  cash, local check with a valid ID/phone number, or credit card.

Have a bicycle to donate? The Co-op accepts donations of adult-sized bicycles. Due to space limitations, we do not accept toddler/adolescent-sized bicycles or adult tricycles. Please lightly rinse off bicycles prior to dropping them off at the Armory Sports Center (use the back entrance off Park Ave.) on Mondays from 2 – 6 p.m. Donated bicycles and parts are used at the discretion of Co-op staff and may be used for fundraising to purchase supplies or repaired and distributed to Bike to the Future in partnership with Love Columbia. Bicycles deemed unsafe for the intended purpose will be scrapped for metal or repurposed for parts. The Co-op follows sustainable management practices to support landfill diversion.

Want to donate funds to keep the CoMo Bike Co-op open?  We rely on the generosity of our community to continue to offer our free programs. Funds are used to purchase parts and tools. Cash or checks (payable to the City of Columbia with “Co-Mo Bike Co-op” indicated on the memo line) can be dropped off at the Armory or the Gentry Bldg, 1 S. 7th Street, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Donations via credit card are gladly accepted by calling 573.874.7460

Are you in need of a free bicycle? Bike to the Future is an inter-denominational volunteer partnership designed to provide free bicycle transportation to adults in need. Bicycles are offered to recipients, based on financial need, via a voucher request system. To apply for a  voucher contact Love Columbia, 1209 E. Walnut St. or email [email protected]. You can also contact the Reentry Opportunity Center by emailing [email protected].  The CoMo Bike Co-op works in partnership with Bike to the Future by repairing donated bicycles to add to their inventory of bicycles available for distribution.  

When did the Co-op open and how is it funded: The Co-Mo Bike Co-op was founded Jan. 7, 2018 primarily with financial support from the federally funded, now defunct, Getabout Columbia Project. Since that time, and with the support of Columbia Parks and Recreation, local bike shops and other fundraising efforts, the Co-op has remained open in a limited capacity. The Co-op relies on volunteers and monetary donations for operating funds. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a fundraising event.

Commuting facts...did you know?

  • OPINION: How the ‘Budget-Bike Trap’ Creates Inequality in NYC.  The founder of a bike co-op identifies a key gap in cycling equity.
  • How Low-Income Cyclists Go Unnoticed. “The Invisible Riders, for instance, log far more hours than most “serious” cyclists. They do so on equipment most of us wouldn’t touch and under the most adverse conditions: at the height of rush hour on the busiest thoroughfares.” (Source: Bicycling, Nov 9, 2015)
  • People with low incomes commute by biking and walking far more than more affluent Americans. (Source:  U.S. Census Bureau, American Citizen Survey)
  • Great read, “Those cyclists are men and women for whom biking isn’t an environmental cause or a response to an urban trend but a means of transportation that’s cheaper than a car and faster than walking. ” Most Cyclists are Working-Class Immigrants, Not Hipsters
  • AAA’s Your Driving Costs (YDC) has been a reliable data source for the expenses associated with owning and operating a brand-new vehicle for more than seven decades. Based on the latest figures, the average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2023 has increased significantly, with an annual expense of $12,182 or a monthly cost of $1,015. This is a sharp increase from 2022 when the average yearly cost was only $10,728 or $894 monthly. (Source: AAA Newsroom)
  • Transportation Costs are considered affordable if they are 15% or less of household income.
    (Source: Housing + Transportation Affordability Index)  3