Main Line Cycle Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Lowertown Bike Shop (LBS) is dedicated to providing sustainable transportation options using recycled bikes and parts. LBS provides educational opportunities to promote health, safety, environmental awareness, and connectedness within our community.
- Income
- $205,507
- Spending
- $238,467
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 100%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $37,049, executive director/board chair
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 40% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $144,590 spent. Retail and repair shop level services for underserved riders: Lowertown Bike Shop focused it's efforts on providing a welcoming and educational experience to all forms of underserved riders. The bicycle industry defines an affordable bike as one costing below $1,000. LBS served populations of female, low income, racially diverse, homeless, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, urban commuter, and novice riders, many with a budget of less than $500. Many of these communities have been underserved by the bicycle industry. We have provided for these populations by supplying new and used bikes that fit all body types, riding styles, and every budget. We also accommodate these riders by custom building for their needs and budgets, often utilizing used parts and bikes. Lowertown Bike Shop built custom bikes to meet the needs of 51 people in 2024. Of those people, LBS donated 6 used bikes at no cost to the individual. LBS also supplied free and/or reduced cost bikes, parts, and services to 13 individuals in demonstrated need.
- $38,435 spent. Recycling and Reuse: Lowertown Bike Shop is dedicated to sustainability in the bicycling community. We have refurbished or found a home for over 164 used bikes in 2024. We have saved hundreds of bikes from the landfill by keeping a stock of used bikes waiting to be fixed and rehabilitated for riders in need of a budget-friendly bike. Bikes that otherwise would have ended up in the trash. We participated in community clean up events processing, recycling, and salvaging 61 bikes. We recycled at least 4,605 pounds of scrap metal that would have ended up in the landfill, and recycled 280 tires and 413 tubes through our on-site recycling program.
- Educational and training services to employees and volunteers: Lowertown Bike Shop's volunteer program clocked a total of 546 volunteer hours. LBS allowed individuals to work off community service, or help fulfill an unemployment or school requirement. LBS also continued providing jobs and competitive wages in their community. They have made it a part of their training to educate their employees and volunteers in basic maintenance, fit, riding styles, bicycle recycling and reuse, barista and coffee service, and sales through education in a welcoming environment. They provide individuals the necessary skills to seek future employment in industries that require experience for hire.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.