Come wrench with us. No experience required.

Vélocity is powered almost entirely by volunteers — people who show up, get their hands a little dirty, and leave feeling genuinely good. We call them Véloteers. You could be one.

Whether you’re a seasoned bike mechanic or someone who once changed a tire and felt like a genius, there’s something useful for you to do here.

What Volunteers Do

At the Warehouse (most popular)

Help sort donated bikes and parts, clean frames, swap out components, and prep bikes to be sold or given away as scholarships. This is where the community really comes alive. Volunteer nights are listed on Meetup.

Meetup is free to join to sign up for our events — ignore any prompts to subscribe or pay.

At the Shops

Help at one of the shops with customer service — greeting visitors, helping find parts, and sharing what makes Vélocity special.

At Events

Help run our monthly Warehouse Sales, community events, and bike rodeos. Show up, set up, smile, sell bikes.

In Leadership

Looking for a more involved role? We have opportunities in operations, communications, outreach, and more. See Idealist for current openings.

Youth Volunteers

We love having young people involved in Vélocity — and we take our responsibility to them seriously. Here’s what parents and youth volunteers need to know before coming in.

Ages 16–17

A parent or guardian must accompany the volunteer to their first volunteering experience and sign Vélocity’s liability waiver at that time.

Age 13 and Under

A parent or guardian must sign the liability waiver and accompany the volunteer at all times while volunteering.

Ages 14–15

These volunteers are warmly welcome with a few additional requirements in accordance with Virginia youth employment law:

• A parent or guardian must sign the liability waiver at the first volunteering experience
• At the warehouse, a parent or guardian must be present at all times while volunteering
• At the shops, the volunteer must be partnered with a Vélocity staff lead who is present during all volunteer hours — hours should be scheduled in advance
• Expected duties must be agreed upon in writing by the staff lead, the volunteer, and the parents at orientation

Time Restrictions (Virginia Child Labor Law)

• No more than 3 hours/day on a school day · 18 hours/week during a school week
• No more than 8 hours/day on a non-school day · 40 hours/week during a non-school week
• Not before 7am or after 7pm (extended to 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day)
• Not during school hours unless enrolled in a school work-training program
• A 30-minute break required after 5 consecutive hours

Prohibited Activities for Ages 14–15

• Operating or assisting with any powered machine (grinding wheels, grinders, saws)
• Using or assisting with ladders
• Acting as driver or helper in any motor vehicle including the Vélocity van
• Any other activity prohibited under Virginia child labor laws

Questions about youth volunteering? Contact us at spokeperson@velocitycoop.org.

Volunteer Perks

Put in 10+ hours in the past 30 days and you unlock:

• 25% off new and used parts in our shops
• Cost + 10% access to our three wholesale suppliers (plus shipping)

Easy as 1 – 2 – 3!