Improved Service to Atlanta Youth and the Entire Community
through Bearings Bike Works New Bridge to the Beltline and future Retail & Repair Shop
ATLANTA – May 16,2025 – A new bridge to the Beltline provides Atlanta youth easier, safer access to Bearings Bike Works and the unique programs that help them discover their innate talents and develop them into meaningful skills by building bikes and engaging in bike-centric programming.
With this new connection directly from the Beltline, bike riders and others can quickly visit the Bearings retail & repair shop, one of the most approachable shops in town where customers become contributors. Customers’ “purchases with a purpose” means nearly all of what they spend at the retail & repair shop gets re-invested in Bearings’ programs for youth.
The recently completed 200-foot ramp provides an easy way to get between the Beltline, the Bearings retail and repair shop, and the entire Bearings campus. It was made possible with numerous contributions from Bearings’ supporters.
“For 15 years now, Bearings has focused on serving our community and this bridge reflects a huge step in our ability to help enrich the lives of youth and others in our neighborhood and beyond,” says Becky O’Mara, co-founder and director of development.
New Bearings Retail & Repair Shop
Atlanta bike riders will also be better served with a new 3,000-square foot Bearings Retail & Repair Shop that is now in final planning and permitting. Construction will midsummer and is scheduled for completion this fall. The project will convert an old shed used for storage into a fully operational retail and repair shop.
Most importantly, the new space will serve as the primary hub for Bearings’ critical workforce development and training programs. This summer more than 20 high school students will be with Bearings in a variety of work-based learning programs, including the summer internship version of the Frameworks Career Accelerator Program. Bearings also operates a Gap Year Program for young adults out of school but not yet working, enabling them gain hands-on technical skills, real-world work experience and professional mentorship as they prepare to step into the workforce.
The new space will nearly triple the size of the current small basement workshop, providing room to display up to 100 bikes along with parts, gear and accessories, and expand workshop space for mechanics.
“This space will greatly enhance our ability to serve current and future customers, and allow additional revenue to be re-invested into our programs for kids and young adults,” said Tim O’Mara, Executive Director. “It will particularly help us with continued growth of our Frameworks intern program, preparing young adults for fulfilling careers,”
The project represents a $1,000,000 investment into Bearings Bike Works, made possible by generous cash and in-kind contributions from donors within the Bearings community of supporters.
“We are grateful for the community’s investment in the lives of youth in our city and grateful for the supporters who helped make this fantastic project possible,” said Becky O’Mara. “The continued commitment and faith in our mission to support Atlanta youth is truly remarkable.”
Fueling the Future
If you are interested in supporting Atlanta youth at Bearings as the team continues to grow and have even greater impact, visit bearingsbikeworks.org or email questions or comments to hello@bearingsbikeworks.org.
