To help you prepare for your visit, we have provided answers below to the most Frequently Asked Questions about our museum.

What are some fun bicycle resources?

The Cabe A forum full of experts on bicycling, collecting, restoration, and more!

Tips on Using Google Maps! 21 Useful tips when you’re using Google Maps, especially when you’re off-road, offline, or off the grid. (Thanks Angelina!)

Adventure Cycling Association

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center

League of American Bicyclists

Does the museum offer any internship experiences?

The Bicycle Museum of America typically offers one internship opportunity per year, during the summer. You can access all official job postings for the Bicycle Museum of America here.

Is the museum hiring?

You can access all official job postings for the Bicycle Museum of America here.

What is the best way to keep in touch with the museum?

We would suggest that you follow our Facebook page. On this page, we keep our followers current on holiday hours, events, acquisitions, featured artifacts, and more!

When attempting to connect with a museum representative, an e-mail or telephone call is preferred, as opposed to Facebook Messenger or comments.

Is there bicycle-friendly parking available?

You will find a bicycle rack adjacent to the museum, as well as a public air pump and Fix-It Station, in case your bicycle requires a quick tune-up!

Does the museum loan materials to other museums and organizations?

The Bicycle Museum of America may agree to lend materials to other museums and organizations on a case-by-case basis. If you represent an institution who may be interested in a loan agreement, please call (419) 629-9249 and ask to speak with the Museum Coordinator to discuss the potential for such an arrangement.

Do you offer any discounts on group admissions?

Yes. For formal group reservations, the Bicycle Museum of America offers free admission to any teachers, chaperones, tour directors, or bus drivers who may be accompanying your group.

Are museum gift shop items available for purchase online?

Bicycle Museum of America gift shop items are available for online purchase here.

I would like to bring a group to the museum. How do I reserve my date?

If you would like to make a group reservation, please follow this link to our Group Reservation Form, which we use to collect some basic information about your group demographics (size, age range, etc.) and expectations for your visit (time constraints, guided tour preference, etc.). Once you have completed this form, one of our staff members will follow up with you to confirm your reservation.

Due to staffing constraints, docent-led tours are customarily offered on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If your desires fall outside of these parameters, please contact the museum at (419) 629-9249 and ask to speak with the Museum Coordinator to discuss potential arrangements.

I would like to know how much my bicycle is worth. Can you provide me with an appraisal or opinion of value?

The Bicycle Museum of America does not offer valuation, appraisals, or authentication of bicycles or bicycle-affiliated memorabilia. Consider hiring an appraiser to help you determine a value for your piece.

Are any of the artifacts in the museum for sale?

The Bicycle Museum of America does not offer any artifacts for private sale.

I have a bicycle I would like to sell. Can you help me find a private buyer?

The Bicycle Museum of America does not act as an intermediary or facilitator of private sales.

I have a bicycle I would like to sell. Would the museum like to buy it?

We receive many inquiries of this nature and with such a large collection, our acquisitions policy is understandably quite selective. We ask that you please send photographs and any information that you have about your bicycle to us by e-mail at bicyclemuseum@crown.com and one of our staff members will follow up with you.

Are donations made to the museum tax-deductible?

Due to the nature of collection as private, we do not have nonprofit 501(c)(3) status and are unable to provide tax write-off documentation for donations.

I have a bicycle that I would like to loan to the museum. How can I go about doing so?

We are humbled by your interest in loaning your artifact to our museum. We receive many inquiries of this nature and with such a large collection, our loans policy is understandably quite selective. We ask that you please send photographs and any information that you have about your bicycle to us by e-mail at bicyclemuseum@crown.com and one of our staff members will follow up with you.

I have a bicycle I would like to donate. How can I go about doing so?

We are humbled by your interest in donating our artifact to our museum. We receive many inquiries of this nature and with such a large collection, our acquisitions policy is understandably quite selective. We ask that you please send photographs and any information that you have about your bicycle to us by e-mail at bicyclemuseum@crown.com and one of our staff members will follow up with you.

Please bear in mind that once the artifact has been donated, the Bicycle Museum of America reserves full rights to decide when, for what duration, and how the artifact will be displayed.

How often do you rotate exhibitions?

We rotate our displays as often as time, ideas, and new material permit! With approximately 800 bicycles in our collection and space to comfortably display only 200, our staff works diligently to provide our visitors with new experiences and updated content on a quarterly or bi-annual basis, by our best estimation.

Follow our Facebook page to keep up with our featured Bicycle of the Month, which as the name implies, is rotated monthly.

May I touch or try out the bicycles in the museum?

We fully understand that bicycles are utilitarian, hands-on objects and it goes against our intuition for them not to be ridden and touched. However, as a museum, it is our duty to protect and preserve these artifacts for future generations to enjoy. This means limiting contact by our staff and patrons in order to avoid accidents, deterioration, and other consequences of handling bicycles and other artifacts. We ask that you respect these wishes and exercise the same courtesy and respect for our objects when you visit.

That being said, there are plenty of opportunities to engage at the Bicycle Museum of America. We have a full-scale high wheel replica in a stand that you are invited to try out, a pedal car to take for a spin, and tool drawers to investigate, among other opportunities!

Is photography permitted within the museum?

Absolutely! You are encouraged to take pictures of anything you like as you make your way through the museum.

I am a researcher who would like to schedule a research appointment at the museum. How do I go about doing so?

The Bicycle Museum of America welcomes researchers by appointment. Please call our museum at (419) 629-9249 and ask to speak with the Museum Coordinator to describe the nature of your research and schedule your appointment.

I have a bicycle in need of restoration. Is this something that I can hire the museum to do?

The Bicycle Museum of America cannot be contracted for restoration work.

I am working on a restoration project and am looking for a part. Does the museum have any spare parts available for sale?

The Bicycle Museum of America does not offer any spare parts for private sale.

I have a bicycle that I would like to identify and/or gather more information about. Can you tell me more about my bike?

If you would like for our staff to perform research on your bicycle, we would encourage you to e-mail us some photographs and any information that you have, as well as the specific questions that you would like addressed to bicyclemuseum@crown.com. If you contact the museum by phone, we will request that you submit your inquiry in writing.

Please bear in mind that we receive many of these inquiries and our policy is to respond to them on a first-come, first-serve basis. We request your patience, as performing thoughtful and diligent research may take time.

How does the museum acquire bicycles for the collection?

The museum acquires bicycles in three primary ways: by purchase, by donation, and very rarely, on loan.

I lost something during my visit to the museum. What should I do?

If you feel that you may have left something behind at the museum, please contact us at (419) 629-9249 and we will check for you.

I see that the museum is three levels. Is there an elevator?

The Bicycle Museum of America occupies a historical building and as such, we are unable to provide elevator access to the second and third levels at this time.

Our first level is fully accessible. For anyone who is unable to access the second and third levels, we do offer a virtual tour of the museum via iPad upon request.

Which payment methods are accepted at the museum?

Accepted payment methods are cash, credit cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa, American Express), and checks made payable to the appropriate entities. We do not accept Debit cards at this time.

How much time do you recommend for visiting the museum?

We typically recommend allotting between 1 to 1 ½ hours to tour the museum, but this may vary greatly with group size, age, interest level, etc.

How did the collection get started? Why is the museum located in New Bremen?

The Schwinn family, of acclaimed bicycle notoriety, assembled a collection of bicycles, which they made available for public display in Chicago, Illinois. In 1997, following a restructuring of their business, a majority of this collection was put up for auction. A local collector, aspiring to preserve the integrity of the collection and bring an interesting attraction to his hometown, purchased approximately 170 bicycles from the collection, as well as archival materials and other bicycle memorabilia, and opened this museum in New Bremen, Ohio. The name of the Schwinns’ collection, the Bicycle Museum of America, was also preserved.

What are the museum’s hours of operation?

Our winter hours are 10 AM-5 PM Monday thru Friday, and 10 AM-2 PM on Saturday.

Our summer hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day) are 9 AM – 5PM Monday thru Friday, and 10 AM – 2 PM on Saturday.

The museum is closed on Sundays. Please check our website or Facebook page for potential closings or restricted hours in observance of holidays.

How much is admission to the museum?

Our admission rates are as follows:

$3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors ages 60 and over, $1.00 for students, and children ages 5 and under admitted free of charge.

Employees of Crown Equipment Corporation are also admitted to the museum free of charge.

What are the parking options when I visit the museum?

There is lot parking available adjacent to the museum, at the corner of Washington and Monroe Streets.

There is also street parking available on E. Monroe Street.

Check the Location and Parking section of our website for additional information.

Is a museum tour mandatory or can I explore the museum on my own?

We understand that all visitors will approach our museum with varying areas of interest, available time, and expectations. For that reason, we prefer to leave the format of your visit up to you. You are welcome to browse the collection on your own, engaging with interpretive signage as you go. Our knowledgeable museum docents will be happy to answer any questions that you may encounter along the way.

If you are seeking a more guided experience, please ask a museum staff representative upon your arrival and we will do our very best to be accommodating.

If you are visiting with a larger group, we would highly recommend making a formal group reservation.