volunteer opportunities
On-bike Volunteer
Our roster of on-bike volunteers, pilots and safeties, for the 2025 season is full.
As a pilot or safety with Portland Wheelers you will operate as part of a pod with other volunteers to bring the joy and excitement of biking to those who can’t ride on their own. With our training, as a Pilot you will learn to confidently and safely operate our Van Raam OPair wheelchair bikes and engage the wheeler riding with you. You will also become familiar with the role of Safety, riding your own bike and being the eyes and ears of the pod to ensure safe street crossings and movement around vehicles. As an on-bike volunteer you will interact with fellow volunteers, wheelers, and our ride partners’ staff members. Interested volunteers are at least 16 years of age, complete a 4-hour training session, and commit to volunteer for a minimum of one shift each month during our ride season, May – October. Given the nature of the activity and the equipment, the manufacturer has set a weight limit of 225lbs for the Pilot.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter
We partner with local organizations to provide rides to a wide range of people, including deaf members of the community. On bike rides we seek to be able to communicate in the way our wheelers are most comfortable. As an ASL volunteer with Portland Wheelers you would meet us at scheduled ride locations as needed and provide interpretation between pilots and wheelers.
Basic Trike Maintenance Tech
Portland Wheelers has a fleet of eleven Van Raam OPair wheelchair bikes (the trikes). As a volunteer maintenance tech you would perform basic safety checks on the trikes. A background in bike mechanics is not necessary and we will train individuals on what to look for and how to keep the trikes and bikes in great shape. Generally, these hours will be weekends, or weekdays before 8 AM or after 5PM, when our trikes are not out on the road.
