September 3rd, 2026 | By Deb Kraft, Old Spokes Home Communications Coordinator
There’s a happy buzz in the air at Old Spokes Home, the non-profit and full service bike shop nestled in Burlington’s Old North End. Classic bike bells ding, machines whir, and your bike clicks as you wheel it into the shop. The shop pup looks up at you, then shuffles over to greet you as you walk in. If you’re a bike lover, you’ve come to the right place.
This shop is special, not only for its strong community, but for its dedicated mission of helping more people get on bikes.
We love Old Spokes Home (Keaton at Bivo is a board member there!) and it’s our go-to spot for bike tune ups, repairs, and whenever we need a niche bike part. We hope you enjoy a story about our favorite bike shop - the great work they do for the community and the amazing team that makes it all possible.
There’s a happy buzz in the air at Old Spokes Home, the non-profit and full service bike shop nestled in Burlington’s Old North End. Classic bike bells ding, machines whir, and your bike clicks as you wheel it into the shop. The shop pup looks up at you, then shuffles over to greet you as you walk in. If you’re a bike lover, you’ve come to the right place.
This shop is special, not only for its strong community, but for its dedicated mission of helping more people get on bikes.
We love Old Spokes Home (Keaton at Bivo is a board member there!) and it’s our go-to spot for bike tune ups, repairs, and whenever we need a niche bike part. We hope you enjoy a story about our favorite bike shop - the great work they do for the community and the amazing team that makes it all possible.
The closest I’ve ever felt to flying is when I coast down a long, smooth hill on a bicycle - daring to lift my fingers off the handlebars as I balance myself with outstretched arms. Sometimes I believe that this blissful feeling, with the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin, is my reason for existing.
My name is Deb, and I’m a mechanic-turned-communications coordinator at Old Spokes Home, a full service, nonprofit bike shop in Burlington’s Old North End. As someone who is extremely passionate about bikes as a form of transportation, I’ve never felt more value-aligned in a job before. Old Spokes Home is more than just a bike shop - we’re a neighborhood hub that works to improve bike access for all. We offer discounted sales & service for qualifying customers, group rides, community events, educational programs, and more.
The closest I’ve ever felt to flying is when I coast down a long, smooth hill on a bicycle - daring to lift my fingers off the handlebars as I balance myself with outstretched arms. Sometimes I believe that this blissful feeling, with the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin, is my reason for existing.
My name is Deb, and I’m a mechanic-turned-communications coordinator at Old Spokes Home, a full service, nonprofit bike shop in Burlington’s Old North End. As someone who is extremely passionate about bikes as a form of transportation, I’ve never felt more value-aligned in a job before. Old Spokes Home is more than just a bike shop - we’re a neighborhood hub that works to improve bike access for all. We offer discounted sales & service for qualifying customers, group rides, community events, educational programs, and more.
Above: Deb teaching a class and working at a bike event.
Above: Deb teaching a class and working at a bike event.
I feel the most alive when the bike is my focus. Whether that means I’m on a multi-month tour in another part of the world, or biking up the Intervale Rd hill, my panniers overflowing with my weekly CSA veggies and flowers, my bicycle is the common denominator that ignites an inner passion. Reducing barriers to make bikes work for everyone, and spreading the freedom and joy that accompany that, is the most meaningful work I have ever done. Bicycles aren’t often viewed as a large-scale solution to the world’s problems, but they can dramatically impact a person’s life in unexpected ways. A bicycle provides agency, independence, and happiness in addition to sustainable transportation.
I feel the most alive when the bike is my focus. Whether that means I’m on a multi-month tour in another part of the world, or biking up the Intervale Rd hill, my panniers overflowing with my weekly CSA veggies and flowers, my bicycle is the common denominator that ignites an inner passion. Reducing barriers to make bikes work for everyone, and spreading the freedom and joy that accompany that, is the most meaningful work I have ever done. Bicycles aren’t often viewed as a large-scale solution to the world’s problems, but they can dramatically impact a person’s life in unexpected ways. A bicycle provides agency, independence, and happiness in addition to sustainable transportation.
Old Spokes Home is unique in its offerings. From custom bike builds and suspension service to affordable used parts, giveaways, and discounts, it’s rare to find a shop that covers this full spectrum. The history of our location is also fascinating, as the shop inhabits a historic building that cannot seem to escape its fate. Since its construction in 1900, it has lived many lives, each related to transit maintenance. This structure has seen trolleys, buses, and personal vehicles. Before the building existed, the property also served as a horsecar maintenance facility as far back as 1885. The building continues this legacy now by maintaining bicycles - the most energy-efficient vehicle ever created!
While the feelings of joy and freedom that come from riding a bike are universal, the conditions that lead to a bike purchase can vary wildly. Old Spokes Home has provided affordable bikes for people fleeing domestic violence, folks in recovery, and families dealing with the aftermath of an ICE detainment. Providing a tool of agency to people in crisis is one of many roles that Old Spokes Home fills in the community.
Old Spokes Home is unique in its offerings. From custom bike builds and suspension service to affordable used parts, giveaways, and discounts, it’s rare to find a shop that covers this full spectrum. The history of our location is also fascinating, as the shop inhabits a historic building that cannot seem to escape its fate. Since its construction in 1900, it has lived many lives, each related to transit maintenance. This structure has seen trolleys, buses, and personal vehicles. Before the building existed, the property also served as a horsecar maintenance facility as far back as 1885. The building continues this legacy now by maintaining bicycles - the most energy-efficient vehicle ever created!
While the feelings of joy and freedom that come from riding a bike are universal, the conditions that lead to a bike purchase can vary wildly. Old Spokes Home has provided affordable bikes for people fleeing domestic violence, folks in recovery, and families dealing with the aftermath of an ICE detainment. Providing a tool of agency to people in crisis is one of many roles that Old Spokes Home fills in the community.
Pictured above: Satisfied customers with their recently purchased new and used bikes! (one of each)
Pictured above: Satisfied customers with their recently purchased new and used bikes! (one of each)
Along with selling refurbished used bikes, Old Spokes Home has many programs that reduce barriers to bike ownership and repair. A main staple is Old Spokes Home’s Everybody Bikes (EB) program, which provides affordable bikes and bike repair to income-eligible Vermonters. Each year, EB customers account for well over a thousand shop visits and hundreds of subsidized bike purchases.
One EB customer, Jonathan, is a pillar of the Burlington community, and a regular volunteer at the shop, showing up to build community and give back to the program that helps him to get to appointments, work, and other commitments. One time I ran into Jonathan at a folk punk show in Burlington, and he asked what I was doing there, remarking: “You’re not a radical, you fix bikes!” and I explained that fixing bikes is one of the most radical things I could do with my time. Freeing ourselves from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence and creating a connection to place are just two aspects of biking that I find absolutely radical.
Along with selling refurbished used bikes, Old Spokes Home has many programs that reduce barriers to bike ownership and repair. A main staple is Old Spokes Home’s Everybody Bikes (EB) program, which provides affordable bikes and bike repair to income-eligible Vermonters. Each year, EB customers account for well over a thousand shop visits and hundreds of subsidized bike purchases.
One EB customer, Jonathan, is a pillar of the Burlington community, and a regular volunteer at the shop, showing up to build community and give back to the program that helps him to get to appointments, work, and other commitments. One time I ran into Jonathan at a folk punk show in Burlington, and he asked what I was doing there, remarking: “You’re not a radical, you fix bikes!” and I explained that fixing bikes is one of the most radical things I could do with my time. Freeing ourselves from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence and creating a connection to place are just two aspects of biking that I find absolutely radical.
Freeing ourselves from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence and creating a connection to place are just two aspects of biking that I find absolutely radical.
Through a weekly Youth Shop program, an annual Youth Apprenticeship, and an annual kid’s bike giveaway event, Old Spokes Home distributes hundreds of free kids bikes each year. This year, an ESL teacher referred the family of one of her students to Youth Shop. This family of Afghan refugees live in Williston with limited access to public transportation and no access to a car. Access to bikes provided the whole family with agency and mobility, and a source of joy!
We also offer dozens of sliding scale classes throughout the year to help expand students' knowledge and confidence on the bike. As one of the rotating instructors of these classes, it’s a special kind of satisfying to watch a student start to understand the mechanics of their bike for the first time. Tracy, a 64-year old student, took a 3-week class with us over the winter in preparation for a solo tour in Prince Edward Island - an adventure she had dreamed about for years. In addition to the class, Tracy prepared for the trip by getting a tuneup from our expert mechanics, joining one of our shop group rides, and purchasing a used trailer from us. After a successful journey, Tracy shared photos and a recap with us over email with the words “Suffice to say that Old Spokes Home was a true support to my success!”
Freeing ourselves from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence and creating a connection to place are just two aspects of biking that I find absolutely radical.
Through a weekly Youth Shop program, an annual Youth Apprenticeship, and an annual kid’s bike giveaway event, Old Spokes Home distributes hundreds of free kids bikes each year. This year, an ESL teacher referred the family of one of her students to Youth Shop. This family of Afghan refugees live in Williston with limited access to public transportation and no access to a car. Access to bikes provided the whole family with agency and mobility, and a source of joy!
We also offer dozens of sliding scale classes throughout the year to help expand students' knowledge and confidence on the bike. As one of the rotating instructors of these classes, it’s a special kind of satisfying to watch a student start to understand the mechanics of their bike for the first time. Tracy, a 64-year old student, took a 3-week class with us over the winter in preparation for a solo tour in Prince Edward Island - an adventure she had dreamed about for years. In addition to the class, Tracy prepared for the trip by getting a tuneup from our expert mechanics, joining one of our shop group rides, and purchasing a used trailer from us. After a successful journey, Tracy shared photos and a recap with us over email with the words “Suffice to say that Old Spokes Home was a true support to my success!”
Pictured above, (from left to right): Ron, the founder of the original nonprofit that became Old Spokes Home, with Pierre, one of the shop’s super volunteers. A view inside the retail shop. Recipient of a bike at the Bike Bonanza. Jonathan (mentioned above) hamming it up at volunteer night.
Pictured above, (from left to right): Ron, the founder of the original nonprofit that became Old Spokes Home, with Pierre, one of the shop’s super volunteers. A view inside the retail shop. Recipient of a bike at the Bike Bonanza. Jonathan (mentioned above) hamming it up at volunteer night.
I am so inspired by all the different ways Old Spokes Home is able to provide bikes and services for the community. If you feel similarly and want to support our work, our annual fundraising ride, the Fall Fundo, is happening later this month on September 26th. You can register to ride and fundraise, or just make a donation to the campaign! Our goal with this year’s Fundo is to relocate our Community Workshop to a more central and accessible location within our building. Many of our core programs take place in our Community Workshop, which is currently in the cramped, window-less basement. It’s time to bring this crucial space upstairs and into the light!
Old Spokes Home celebrates bikes as a source of individual mobility and community empowerment. We envision a community where anyone can access the freedom and opportunity created by a reliable bike. Everyone deserves the dignity, opportunity, and joy that a bicycle provides.
I am so inspired by all the different ways Old Spokes Home is able to provide bikes and services for the community. If you feel similarly and want to support our work, our annual fundraising ride, the Fall Fundo, is happening later this month on September 26th. You can register to ride and fundraise, or just make a donation to the campaign! Our goal with this year’s Fundo is to relocate our Community Workshop to a more central and accessible location within our building. Many of our core programs take place in our Community Workshop, which is currently in the cramped, window-less basement. It’s time to bring this crucial space upstairs and into the light!
Old Spokes Home celebrates bikes as a source of individual mobility and community empowerment. We envision a community where anyone can access the freedom and opportunity created by a reliable bike. Everyone deserves the dignity, opportunity, and joy that a bicycle provides.
Pictured above, (from left to right): Most recent staff & board photo. The front of the shop. Old Spokes Home custom Bivos!
Pictured above, (from left to right): Most recent staff & board photo. The front of the shop. Old Spokes Home custom Bivos!
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