Active
Burner Bikes Without Borders: 500 Bicycles, From Burning Man to Mexico
September 19–20 | San Diego, California, to Tijuana, Baja California
This September, 500 bicycles recovered after Burning Man will cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana, where they will begin a new chapter as tools for mobility, connection, and community empowerment.
Led by World Bicycle Forum 12 Mexico in collaboration with Alianza por la Movilidad Activa and dozens of organizations, collectives, and volunteers, the project will give bicycles used for just over a week in Black Rock City a meaningful second life in communities throughout Mexico.
More than 95% of the bicycles are in excellent condition and need only cleaning and minor adjustments before they can return to the road. From Tijuana, bicycles will eventually continue to communities in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, and beyond.
Crossing Borders and Connecting Communities
A bicycle is more than transportation. It can expand access to school, work, essential services, and community life. It can also connect people across neighborhoods, cities, and borders.
This collaborative effort brings together cycling advocates, community organizations, volunteers, and members of the Burning Man community around a shared commitment to reuse, sustainable mobility, and collective action.
Help Move 500 Bicycles
Many hands—and legs—will be needed to move the bicycles from San Diego across the border to Tijuana on September 19 and 20.
Volunteer
Join the team helping move the bicycles across the border. Volunteers can register and receive logistical information through a WhatsApp group managed by Alianza por la Movilidad Activa.
Support Transportation
If you cannot participate in person, you can still help cover the cost of getting the bicycles safely to Tijuana and onward to the communities where they will be used.
Spread the Word
Share this opportunity with friends, cycling groups, Burner communities, and anyone who might be interested in volunteering or supporting the project. Every connection can help keep these bicycles—and this effort—moving forward.
Project Details
Dates: September 19–20
Route: San Diego, California, to Tijuana, Baja California
Bicycles: 500
Project lead: World Bicycle Forum 12 Mexico
Volunteer coordination: Alianza por la Movilidad Activa
Timeline
September 17 – 6:00 p.m.
• Arrival in San Diego / Chicano Park.
• Protocol event and beginning of the volunteer effort to unload and receive the bicycles.
September 18
• Full day of cleaning, inspection, selection, and preparation of the 500 bicycles.
September 19 – 10:00 a.m.
• Beginning of the crossings toward Tijuana.
• San Diego → Tijuana, in accordance with applicable customs regulations and the location designated for collection and storage.
September 20
• Binational goodwill and opening event, with authorities and members of this great alliance.
September 23
• Bicycle donation event in Ensenada, Baja California, supporting a migrant shelter.
• Distribution and delivery of bicycles to beneficiary organizations in Tijuana, Baja California.
The goal is for these bicycles to reach Indigenous communities, migrants, children and young people in shelters, and people who need accessible mobility, providing a tool for inclusion, autonomy, sustainable transportation, and community empowerment.
Dates and times may be adjusted due to customs procedures, security, transportation, or instructions from the relevant authorities.
