My name is Christo Martin, and I’ve been volunteering at RUBARB Community Bike Shop for about ten years. RUBARB is entirely run by volunteers, and our mission is simple: everyone in New Orleans should have access to a bike and the skills to maintain it. We offer free stand time, tutorials, and affordable parts, and we work to make sure that anyone who needs a bike can get one. For us, it’s about more than bikes—it’s about building community and giving people a space to learn, connect, and feel supported.
RUBARB grew out of the grassroots relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. With buses down and cars often inoperable, bikes became essential. People donated parts, and we started helping neighbors get around while teaching skills along the way. Over the years, we’ve seen kids and adults alike discover independence, confidence, and connection through something as simple as learning to fix a flat tire. Programs like our Bike Bucks initiative allow volunteers to earn credits toward bikes and parts while learning hands-on skills and responsibility.
One of the things I love most about this work is the way the community shows up for each other. Neighbors like Lawrence, who’s lived here his whole life, fix things just to keep the neighborhood safe and beautiful. That generosity, that instinct to help, is what keeps this city strong. Every day at RUBARB, we see people teaching and learning from one another, kids gaining mentors, and neighbors connecting across generations.
For me, being American is about showing up for each other, and RUBARB is a living example of that. In a city that faces so many challenges—from inequality to natural disasters—we create a space where people can care for one another, share knowledge, and grow together. The bikes are just the beginning; the real work is the community we build and the connections we foster every day.
RUBARB grew out of the grassroots relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. With buses down and cars often inoperable, bikes became essential. People donated parts, and we started helping neighbors get around while teaching skills along the way. Over the years, we’ve seen kids and adults alike discover independence, confidence, and connection through something as simple as learning to fix a flat tire. Programs like our Bike Bucks initiative allow volunteers to earn credits toward bikes and parts while learning hands-on skills and responsibility.
One of the things I love most about this work is the way the community shows up for each other. Neighbors like Lawrence, who’s lived here his whole life, fix things just to keep the neighborhood safe and beautiful. That generosity, that instinct to help, is what keeps this city strong. Every day at RUBARB, we see people teaching and learning from one another, kids gaining mentors, and neighbors connecting across generations.
For me, being American is about showing up for each other, and RUBARB is a living example of that. In a city that faces so many challenges—from inequality to natural disasters—we create a space where people can care for one another, share knowledge, and grow together. The bikes are just the beginning; the real work is the community we build and the connections we foster every day.
