Welcome to the FAQ!

Can you explain to me how your system works?

We're a bike collective. We exist as an open workshop for repair and you can also build a bike from the ground up with the help of volunteers and other people using the shop. It's important to be aware that you do the work, not us. We exist to educate and enable people to build and repair their own bicycles to help promote self-sufficiency and enable reliable, healthy transportation options. Our portion of the work is strictly advisory/guiding.

Are there any classes available?

We offer classes from time to time dealing with specific sections of a bicycle that are informal and informative. We strive to make Plan B fun and educational environment. There is a sign-up sheet available in the shop when classes are scheduled.

What kind of inventory do you carry?

We have used frames and new and used parts.

How much do things cost?

Generally, much cheaper than a for-profit bike shop. Our re-cycled parts are very inexpensive and new parts are sold at barely above wholesale cost.

How much is a bike?

The cost of a bike that you build depends on how many new/used parts you end up using, but generally ranges from 35-75 dollars.

It's all up to you, your skill level, and how much work needs to be done on the frame you choose. Some have complete bottom brackets and forks, handlebars, some don't. We are open for 4 hour open workshops at a time. It is HIGHLY recommended that you come in for the full 4 hours if you want to try and build a bike, although that's NO guarantee of accomplishing it all in one session. Some people do it in one session, some people take 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 sessions....It's really an impossible question to answer.

Are there already prebuilt bikes for sale?

That would be great! However, please keep in mind that building a bike is an investment and a commitment and because we are community bike shop, we would like to keep our resources within the community. If you decide to build a bike in New Orleans using our resources, it would be really great if that bike stayed in New Orleans. You can do this by either passing the bike on to a resident or donating it to Plan B when you decide to leave New Orleans.

You mean you want me to just pay for something and give it away when I'm done with it?

Yes! $35 - $75 is not a lot of money to pay for reliable transportation during a visit to New Orleans as well as a new skill set that will last your entire life and guarantee that in the future you will be able to maintain and repair your own bike and educate others. If you know that you can either fix a flat in under 10 minutes for less than 25 cents or send it to a bike shop for 12-20 dollars, you may find yourself riding a bike more often and consuming less. That's the goal. (A bike shop will replace your tube rather than repair it.) So, if you're leaving, we would LOVE it if you gave the bike back to us or passed it along to a local resident. Although Plan B volunteers can be quite surly, we can be ever so gracious in the face of generosity.

 I just need someone to fix my flat/adjust my brakes/do a repair. Can I just pay you to do it?

 No.

Really? Money is no object!

I want to volunteer/I have a large group that wants to volunteer/I want to become a regular long-term volunteer.

Please see our volunteer page.

I sent you an email and I haven't heard back!?!?

Email is checked weekly, sometimes more often, rarely less. Please be patient.