The Indy Biker Co., Indianapolis, IN (2026)

12/08/2020

Our Winter Sponsorship Drive Has Begun!

Throughout the months of December and January, The Indy Biker Co. is raising funds in order to compile and handout gift bags to individuals in need. Each bag costs $10 and includes a winter beanie, gloves, a hygiene kit (personal care products), socks, blankets, and more!

A simple $10 donation goes along way for someone currently experiencing homelessness or is at risk for homelessness. If you would like to sponsor an individual for Winter, please visit our website!

09/28/2020

Sarah & Bobby - 2nd Meeting (Part I of I), 9/25/20

I purchased two cuts of sirloin from Needlers Market, a grocery store in downtown Indianapolis, to provide dinner for the dynamic duo we met last week, Bobby and Sarah. When Adam and I visited them last week, we discovered a bike without front brake pads, which is an accident waiting to happen. We both also admired how Bobby was utilizing a petite grill to cook dinner for Sarah and himself, so I thought it would be a cool idea to drop off some fresh meat for them to prepare.

Bobby offered me a piece of the steak he was grilling up for dinner. I respectfully declined. It smelled amazing, but I knew he deserved it more than me. I jokingly said to Bobby, “You know, if you cook your steak well-done, I may never talk to you again.” Bobby and Sarah erupted with laughter. Sarah responded, “We don’t eat hockey pucks in this household!”

“My best friend in the whole world killed himself when he was 22. I’m 55 now, so it was over 30 years ago. He was 5 years younger than me. I mean, me and him did everything together. Everything. He was my childhood friend. He killed himself over a girl. He goes and kills himself over her. A girl.” There is an ongoing mental health crisis going on in our country. People are afraid to find someone to talk to. I couldn’t imagine how hopeless it would’ve been 30 years ago seeking help. It should never be taboo to discuss how you are feeling. Bobby lowered his voice, “I put a rope around my neck and jumped out of a tree… I thought to myself, ‘this is it.’” Everyone got quiet. Bobby continued on, “I can’t do anything right. I can’t even tie a noose correctly!” Adam and I laughed a very nervous laugh. Bobby finished, “I am happy to be here.” Speechless from his words, I thought to myself how happy I was that Bobby was unsuccessful in his attempt, allowing our paths to cross. Stories like his motivate our organization to continue to bring awareness to the existing mental health crisis here in Indianapolis.

Services provided - installed new brake pads, adjusted brake cables, and a chat.

Story by Alec Macchione

09/28/2020

Sarah & Bobby (Part III of III), 9/16/20

“I took my bike down back to Illinois one time... Oh yeah, I hauled a shopping cart behind the bike, full of stuff,” Bobby began. Adam and I stopped working on Bobby’s bike and gave him our complete attention.We knew how difficult a trip like this would be. Riding a bike, while hauling anything can be a pain, let alone a shopping cart! Bobby continued with his story, “ I would use a tarp and set up camp on the side of the road. Man, I ate any food I came across or stole.” I would totally watch a Netflix series on Bobby’s cross-state adventure. Bobby interrupted his own story and laughed, “Man, one time I was hauling a door to the scrapyard. I was holding onto [the door] with one arm while steering my bike with my other. Sure enough, the door fell from and jammed between the bike frame and front wheel.” Adam and I both knew where this story was going. Bobby continued, “I flew over the handlebars!” We all shared a laugh.

Services provided - frame cleaning, chain maintenance, upcoming shifter replacement, and a chat.

Story by Alec Macchione & Adam Roberts

09/28/2020

Sarah & Bobby (Part II of III), 9/16/20

“I was charging my phone, outside by that apartment over there,” Bobby said while pointing towards a newly built apartment complex on the corner of Washington Street. “The manager came outside and screamed at me, ‘You need to get the f*** out of here,’” Bobby continued, “He came out and wanted me to get the hell off his property. I was only charging my phone for a bit. What? Does me being homeless give him the right to talk down on me? Now if he talked to me like a human being, I would have left without aproblem..."

Bobby came off as a very stand-up and self aware individual who was very clearly suffering from serious and deeply-rooted mental health struggles, which was evident in most of the stories and anecdotes he shared. “Everything I do, I go to the extreme. I used to box up in Michigan when I was younger. Boxing builds toughness,” Bobby said as he shadowboxed with a 1-2 combo. “I hate fighting,” Bobby continued, “I got 16 years for an incident where I went too far. It’s scary. I can keep my cool but you never know.”Adam and I couldn’t even fathom the overall effects a prison sentence and a deteriorated living situation would have on overall decision-making and brain function. Bobby and I agreed that boxing was an activity that requires a high amount of mental and physical strength. “I boxed in prison because it was a way to release stress and anger.”

09/28/2020

Sarah & Bobby (Part I of III), 9/16/20

A barbecue aroma filled Adam and I’s noses as we rode our bikes towards the East Street bridge in downtown Indianapolis. Following the lingering scent like Hansel and Gretel, we came across an elderly duo, Sarah and Bobby, who were claiming the underside of the bridge as their home. Surprised at the hunger-inducing smell, we asked, “What are you cooking?!”

“We’ve been here since July 29th and have been homeless since July 4th,” Sarah stated. The demeanor of Sarah’s face did not portray the physicality of someone who has been living on the streets for a prolonged period. The softness in her voice supported her statement. Her concise communication and kindness reminded me of my grandma. She IS someone’s grandma. Sarah continued, “I could have gone to the hotel by the airport by myself, but I said, ‘No, we go together.’” as she sternly gestured towards Bobby. Bobby shook his head and grunted, “She makes me mad when she says that. She doesn’t needor deserve to be on the streets-” Sarah intervened, “We are family!”. When the pandemic hit, the city of Indianapolis scrambled to devise a plan to keep the homeless community safe. Vacant rooms at designated hotels, like the hotel mentioned by Sarah, were required to provide free boarding to the homeless. “Family always looks out for family,” Sarah answered. The fact that Sarah turned down a cozy bed to live on the streets with Bobby, really spotlights the collective moral code and importance that familyplays in life; it can be everything, especially if you have nothing. Bobby looked at us and said, “I told her that I was going to live with a buddy of mine so that she would go to a shelter. I didn’t have a friend to live with. I only told her that so she wouldn’t be on the streets with me.”

09/11/2020

Check out our Instagram page for the chance to win The Indy Biker Co. t-shirts!
Www.instagram.com/theindybikerco

09/08/2020

Christopher, Elijah, & Brandon (Part II of II), 9/7/20

“When people ask me where I sleep, the very first thing they assume is that I sleep in a shelter every night. They obviously have never been homeless before. Shelters have restrictions. ‘Go to a shelter…’ do you know what happens in those shelters?” Brandon said sternly. “They restrict you in a way that is so uncomfortable, that you would rather be in the streets. They want you to convert to their religion and make changes overnight. Change doesn’t work like that.” Brandon continued. As mentioned in our story from last week, various religious-based organizations for the homeless community require their tenants to
attend daily sermons and prayers which has created outrage.
“If I weren’t in the shelter, I would be right here... sleeping in this exact spot,” Elijah said, while motioning to the concrete bench. Nodding his head in agreement, Brandon added, “Everyone has their own spot on the streets.”

I asked the question, “What was the craziest thing you have experienced while living on the streets?” and was completely blown away by the response. “Well in Winter,” Brandon began answering, “there is a vent over by this hotel on the corner, and the vent blows hot air. So in the Wintertime, of course, this was our favorite place to be. The warmth… the vent would blow like 80 degrees. So if it is 10 degrees outside, you are going to want to be in this spot.” Brandon continued, “So we would hang out there because we were freezing. They didn’t like us being there. Every time we made our way there the hotel security guard would call the police and force us to move. One night, a man that I knew, was beaten to death outside that hotel. The same security officer that would call the police every night, watched the beating happen and did nothing.” Brandon leaned in closer and continued, “Apparently being a bum on the street is a way more important crime than one of us dying.”

Services provided - frame cleaning, chain maintenance, brake / shifting adj, and a chat.

Story by Adam Roberts and Alec Macchione

09/08/2020

Christopher, Elijah, & Brandon (Part I of II), 9/7/20

“One night, a man that I knew, was beaten to death…”

The glimmer of a vintage red Schwinn Cruiser immediately caught my eye as Adam and I’s bicycle tires touched the brick road wrapped around Monument Circle, in downtown Indianapolis. As we circumnavigated the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, we made our way to a crowd of about 20 individuals, all grouped alongside the concrete seating that surrounds the historic monument. A majority of the people were huddled in the shade, escaping the overly expressive sun, chatting and sharing ci******es among each other, while others caught up on sleep. Around the Schwinn stood Christopher, Brandon (pictured left), and Elijah.

“I moved to Indianapolis, from California, in 2015, and attended Ben Davis,” Christopher said while introducing himself. The first thing you notice about Christopher is his youthful appearance. When asked about his age, Christopher stated, “I am 22 years old.” My heart sank... He was younger than Adam and I.
I began processing scenarios on how he ended up living on the streets at such a young age. What deprivations did Christopher experience growing up? Was it job loss? Mental health struggles? Substance abuse? Diminished family support? A combination of 2? All of them? None of them?

“I learned how to ride a bike when I was 23. I was a late learner. I loved running and thought I didn’t need a bike. I only learned because I got a job in college as a bike security guard.” Brandon confessed. Overhearing our conversation, Elijah chimed in, “Did you say you know bike tricks? Like a wheelie?”. Brandon replied sarcastically, “No, no…bike security, but yeah, I can also do a backflip…that’s how you get the girls!” We all laughed. Maybe I haven't met my future wife because I can't backflip a bike? Anyways...

09/01/2020

Jermaine & Javonte (Part II of II)

Jermaine (left), 8/27/20

“There are evil entities running this world!” was the first thing I heard as I turned onto W. Georgia Street, in front of the Pan Am Plaza, in downtown Indianapolis. Two men, deep in their thoughts, were bickering about Illuminati-esque organizations being in control of the world’s economy and affairs. Bingo, these were the men I wanted to chat with. As I rode my bike towards the duo, the sounds of Gucci Mane playing through a mobile phone muttered in the air. Jermaine, sporting a radical afro and Nike hightops, eagerly bounced up from where he was sitting and greeted me.

“I'm not promoting any fashion of violence, I'm talking about peace because there is hope in peace and the future is peace. The young and the not bold.” Jermaine says after being asked to give advice for the younger generation.

“Always apply being better, and not being bigger. For Goliath was bigger and David was better,” Jermaine continues, “Then to remember to always stay humble….there are too many indian-minded individuals and not enough chiefs. So you got too many people wanting to be followers and not enough leaders.” Jermaine preaches, nodding his head to the beat of his own words. “That’s deep. Follower-minded”

Service provided - frame cleaning, chain maintenance, brake tightening, tire scrub, and a chat.

Story by Alec Macchione.

09/01/2020

Jermaine & Javonte (Part I of II)

Javonte (right), 8/27/20

“Nipsey Hussle was one of the right-minded people who had the energy - what he was doing was, he was going to teach people what they should do. He don’t want them to enter the rap game, but to go into a clean entrepreneurial business. He wanted to spread… no, he wanted to inspire the youth. He was doing so and therefore, he had to go.” I admired Javonte’s enthusiasm for the late Nipsey Hussle and wanted to seek out the other people he looked up to. I asked the hypothetical question - if you can have dinner with one famous person, who would it be and why? “It would have to be Barack Obama and I’d have to ask him how he did it? I’m just saying, of all the characters of this nation, he is the most prolific American president… a black president.” Javonte proudly claimed. Coincidently, Jermaine ordered Javonte and I’s attention to him as he rushingly put on his Barack Obama sweatshirt. We all shared a laugh.

“I live along the street… along this street” Javonte states as he gestures toward W. Georgia Street. “I’ve been to the homeless camps multiple times. I don’t do the camp thing because I don’t like people knowing
my exact location at all times. How could you have a spreading virus and you want to contain multiple people and tell them, “Oh a mass is going to stop that”? Javonte says while referencing the most prominent homeless shelter in Indianapolis, the Wheeler Mission. The Wheeler Mission has created
controversy among the homeless community for requiring people seeking assistance to attend weekly sermons and to abide by other strict guidelines before being granted help. “No. No, it’s not the case and
it’s not a hospitable environment. It’s a breeding ground for disease like COVID.”

“I can’t remember,” Javonte said when asked how he learned how to ride a bike. ”My parents definitely did not teach me. Can you imagine not being able to ride? My brother may have taught me.” This made me reflect on my own childhood; endless summers riding bikes with my brother. "I have my bike to make money...to get to areas of the city and back. I just got it and I lost my last one."

08/31/2020

An unserviced or broken bicycle should never be the reason a homeless individual misses out on navigating to shelter, obtaining a meal, or getting to an income-driven task. In order to combat this issue, The Indy Biker Co. was established with the primary objective of providing mobile bicycle tune ups, repairs, and complete bike cleanings for this select group. Built upon expanding the awareness of the Indianapolis homeless community, The Indy Biker Co. is dedicated towards strengthening the link between the displaced individuals and the remaining Indianapolis community.

We’re excited to officially start helping our community by servicing bicycles and building connections. Every week, we will be posting stories that feature the people of Indianapolis that we have interacted with.

Click the link in our bio for more details about The Indy Biker Co.

The Indy Biker Co.

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