VIDEO: Free Cycles Missoula
- courtney990
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
We are huge fans of Missoula Free Cycles-- from the bike repair, the free bike program, the community volunteers, and the massive amount of community events housed in their facilities, MFC is a literal hub of Missoula.
Free Cycles is a community bicycle shop in Missoula, focused on education, empowerment, and community engagement. Founded in 1996, the organization believes everyone has the right to move freely and safely, and works toward that vision by providing community access to recycled and repurposed bicycles, parts, tools, workspace, and hands-on education. Their programs include an Open Shop where volunteers and staff help people learn to repair their own bikes, a Build-a-Bike program that guides participants through constructing a ride from donated parts and frames, and a Youth Cycles program that serves approximately 800 youth each year — with children ten and under able to receive a free bicycle whenever the shop is open. All services are donation-based and open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels, making Free Cycles a beloved and inclusive cornerstone of the Missoula community. Impressive stats since launching in spring 1996
60,000 bikes have been donated to Free Cycles from the Missoula community
30,000 of those have become free bikes given back to the community
100,000+ total volunteer hours
2.5 million+ pounds total recycled and or repurposed
100,000 of those pounds went to the scrap yard to be melted down, the rest are rideable bikes and functional parts
1200 roughly community events-- big and small
30,000+ people through the doors In 2025 alone for bikes, gatherings and community connection
2 acres-- size of the property
2-- the number of $100k anonymous gifts we have received in our history.
one was in 2016 for the campaign to purchase the property.
and one was at the end of 2025 for the current "Free Cycles Forever" campaign.
12: number of free and open public work stations available for free to the community
