Warm Showers

Warm Showers (WS) is a non-profit hospitality exchange service for people engaging in bicycle touring. The platform is a gift economy — hosts are not supposed to charge for lodging and are not bound.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]} The legal form is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, US.^[8]

The platform has been described as a "cyclists’ support network whose members may offer free amenities and services such as meals and lodging".^[9] Rough Guides recommends Warm Showers as means to improve security of solo female cyclists.^[10] Warm Showers helps bicycle travelers to balance the self-reliance of camping and hotels with opportunities for social encounters.^[11] Warm Showers has a positive effect on rural communities, both socially and economically.^[12] Many users of the platform cycle for health reasons or to reduce their carbon footprint and to be environmentally friendly.^[13][2] Cultural exchange and social connection do also play a role.^[14][3][15]

The organization received donations of $100,641 in 2015, $84,009 in 2016, $115,324 in 2017, $128,626 in 2018 and $111,089 in 2019.^{[8][16][17][18]}