Good Karma Bikes receives Humanitarian Grant

Good Karma Bikes receives grants for bicycle parts and supplies.

Good Karma Bikes was founded by Jim Gardner. Jim has a PhD in Physics and worked for several Silicon Valley companies, but he was not fully satisfied that he was doing good for humanity. In 2008, he was making a donation at a homeless shelter and saw a man with a rickety bike, he took his tools and started to repair bikes for those in need, it eventually ballooned and in 2009, he was fixing bikes in parking lots, in 2012 he was able to move into his first permanent location. Their current location has a large room for donated bikes waiting to be restored, as well as repaired bikes to be donated. They have several repair tables where volunteers help daily to restore bikes. They also have a retail shop, where the public can purchase restored bikes at a good price, which helps pay for expenses, such as rent, utilities, bike parts, and salaries. They currently have about 7,000 sq. feet of space, but they are now moving into a new location at 82 Montgomery Street in San Jose giving much more room for storage and volunteer workspace and the ability to help many more people with bicycle transportation.

Good Karma Bikes will grant a bike to anyone in need of one. They strongly believe that bicycles help refugees and homeless to self-reliance by providing transportation to workplaces, education, and greater self-esteem. They give away as many bicycles as they sell and have given over 9,400 bikes to those in need. They don't sell bicycles to children but will gift one instead. They also provide 3 wheeled bikes, repair wheelchairs and walkers, even make special wheels for animals who may have lost use of their legs. A recent thank you note said "I would like to thank you for your support. I just got out of prison and have to start over from nothing. This bike really will help me out. Thanks a lot, Sincerely, Liz".

The grant from Humanitarian Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will assist Good Karma Bikes with parts and supplies for nearly a year and is intended to give special emphasis to assist refugees and immigrants with their transportation needs. San Jose South Stake President Matthew Stepan and Communications Director, Jenice Condie of the church presented the grant to Good Karma Bikes. They are also planning a bike donation drive in the near future.

Other ways volunteers can help Good Karma bikes is to donate old unused bikes, no matter the condition, hold bike donation drives and volunteer to help at their shop fixing bicycles which need repair. Even shopping at Good Karma will help keep the lights on. They provide reconditioned bicycles at a good price with a lifetime guarantee, bring it back anytime for free repairs.

Congratulations to Good Karma Bikes for their wonderful work in helping those in need with transportation, a great benefit and help to those working to improve their life and get back to being self-sufficient.