WHAT ARE DECATUR YELLOW BIKES?
Decatur Yellow Bikes, Inc., ("DYB") is a nonprofit organization that reconditions donated adult bikes, paints them yellow, and makes them available to people in Decatur.

HOW CAN I GET A BIKE?
You can adopt a bike by coming to our headquarters during a work session, picking out a bike and paying a $25 refundable deposit. (We can take cash or check.) You may keep the bike as long as you wish and return it for repair or exchange if you have a problem. All bikes are originally donated and are reconditioned by volunteers. Wear clothing appropriate for biking and be willing to get a little dirty while you help get your bike ready. Because we always have more work to do than we have volunteers, it is likely that you will be asked to help while your bike is being made ready.

WHAT BIKES ARE AVAILABLE?
Check our news page to see if we have any bikes. If we do, you will have to show up to see which bikes are available. The selection changes during every work session, so it is impossible to know ahead of time whether we will have the right bike for you when you arrive.

ARE THERE ANY ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE?
Locks and helmets are sometimes available for another $5 each to people adopting bikes. Water bottles and holders are usually available for free. Some bikes have fenders, racks, and kickstands and some do not. It can be difficult to add these features to bikes that do not have them.

CAN I GET A BIKE SOME OTHER TIME?
Because of the amount of effort involved in finding a suitable bike, adjusting it to fit properly, and making sure it is ready to go, we can only do adoptions during regular sessions.

CAN I GET A BIKE IF I DON'T LIVE IN DECATUR?
Yes, anyone can adopt a bike wherever they live. You will have to come to our headquarters to select it and to pick it up, but then you can take it anywhere. If you are lucky, the bike you want can be ready to go the same day you select it, but if it needs work you will have to return another day to pick it up.

IS EVERY BIKE PAINTED YELLOW?
Yes, all Yellow Bikes are painted yellow. Occasionally we may sell a bike instead of adopting it out as a Yellow Bike, but that is rare.

HOW CAN I DONATE A BIKE?
We welcome donations of adult bikes, even if they are not in working condition. Bring bikes to our headquarters during our regular hours, or arrange another time or place with us if necessary.

CAN I DONATE ANYTHING OTHER THAN BIKES?
We accept donations of anything that can help us with our work. Examples include tools, parts, supplies, and money. Let us know if you have something unusual and we will let you know if we can use it.

ARE DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTABLE?
We are a nonprofit organization, but donations are not tax deductible because we have not yet qualified as a charitable organization.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
We are always in need of volunteers to do nearly any kind of work. No particular experience or skills are necessary. There are several things we need volunteers to do and many more things that could be done if we had people willing to do them.

Regular activities that happen during most sessions are washing, fixing, and painting bikes. Between sessions, several other things need to happen, or would be nice if someone would do them: finding parts, artwork, creating signs, updating the web page, running a newsletter, planning events, government and police liaison, investigating funding/sponsorship opportunities, publicity/press, storage and transportation, neighborhood and community liaison, creating a "how-to" guide for others interested in starting such an organization, safety, and anything else you can think of.

DO YOU OFFER REPAIR LESSONS?
We teach individuals and groups how to do basic bike maintainence. We encourage other groups, such as neighborhood associations, service clubs, youth organizations, Scouts, schools, etc., to get involved by holding Yellow Bike reconditioning days or by starting bike reconditioning programs.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I FIND YOU?
See our Hours and Location page

WHO IS DOING THE 'YELLOW BIKES' PROGRAM IN DECATUR?
It was started as a nonprofit project by Ken Rosskopf, who works and lives in Decatur. The current president is Mark Gray and Jon Braswell is the treasurer. The project is run by a community-wide group of volunteers and has the broad support of people and interest groups.

WHY TRY THIS IN DECATUR?
Decatur's physical characteristics are favorable to short trips by bicycle. The bicycle is a reasonable, practical alternative to using an automobile or other large, polluting vehicle for short trips. The bikes also provide convenient transportation to and from MARTA stations. With the heavy concentration of housing, restaurants, shops, offices, and other businesses, parking can be an issue. The population is educated and knows the benefits of bicycle transportation. A number of people will support such a cause and furnish the labor needed to make the program a success.

HOW ARE BIKES MAINTAINED?
We encourage people to check for the safe operation of any bike before starting a trip. Any bike can develop mechanical problems or have a flat tire. If a Yellow Bike has problems beyond the adopter's ability to fix, the bike should be brought back to DYB during a work session for repair or replacement. The adopter may even learn how to perform the needed repair if desired. An abandoned or improperly parked Yellow Bike can be reported to a telephone number on the bike. DYB will respond by bringing it back to headquarters for repair and possible re-adoption.

WHAT IS DYB DOING TO MAKE THE PROGRAM SAFE?
We are posting rules for safe operation, encouraging helmet use, discouraging use by persons under the age of 16, and disseminating information on Effective Cycling courses taught in the area by certified instructors. The bikes are reconditioned by volunteers and checked for safe operation.

CAN I RIDE A YELLOW BIKE AT NIGHT?
Most bikes are not equipped with lights. Lights are required by law for night riding and are necessary for safe operation. People who ride in the dark should be sure to maintain both front and rear lights.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
DYB maintains a group email service. To subscribe or change your subscription options, visit http://dybikes.org/mailman/listinfo/dybikes-list

Our goal is to keep it fun, interesting and rewarding to all. If you want to help, please let us know.
Also, please tell your neighbors, groups, clubs, churches about DYB and how they can help.

Decatur Yellow Bikes, Inc., a Georgia nonprofit corporation
Mark Gray, President
Jon Braswell, Secretary-Treasurer

E-mail: Click Here
You can also call 404-378-9479, but email is usually more convenient.