Onboarding plan
Bicycle Mechanic Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)
A practical, printable plan to take a new bicycle mechanic from first day to full productivity.
Bicycle Mechanic onboarding at a glance
Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.
Before day one
- Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
- Verify required credentials: Bicycle mechanic school certificate, Manufacturer e-bike training (as applicable)
- Prepare equipment and access: truing stands; torque wrenches; chain tools; bike stands
- Assign a buddy or preceptor
- Enroll the new hire in Bicycle Mechanic training so foundations are covered before or during week one
Week one: orient and protect
- Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
- Use torque specs
- Handle e-bike batteries carefully
- Test ride repairs
- Wear eye protection
- Shadow an experienced bicycle mechanic through a full shift
- Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)
Days 1–30: learn
Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.
- Supervised practice: adjust a rear derailleur
- Supervised practice: true a bicycle wheel
- Supervised practice: diagnose an e-bike error code
- Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
- 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins
Days 31–60: contribute
Goal: handle a regular workload independently.
- Assemble new bikes: independently
- Tune gears and brakes: independently
- True wheels: independently
- Replace parts: independently
- Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
- Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
- 60-day check-in
Days 61–90: own
Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.
- Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
- Begin cross-training on a secondary task
- Agree on a credential goal (for example, Bicycle mechanic school certificate)
- Discuss the career path: Assembler → Mechanic → Lead Mechanic
- 90-day review
Competency checklist
| Skill or task | Trained | Observed | Signed off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjust a Rear Derailleur | |||
| True a Bicycle Wheel | |||
| Diagnose an E-Bike Error Code | |||
| Drivetrain repair | |||
| Brake adjustment | |||
| Wheel truing | |||
| Suspension service |
How to measure onboarding success
- Time to independent work orders
- Comeback, rework or scrap rate
- Billable or productive hours versus target
- 90-day retention
How Bicycle Mechanic training maps to this plan
- Introduction to the Bicycle Mechanic Role
- A Day on the Job
- Essential Bicycle Mechanic Vocabulary
- Core Duties and Responsibilities
- Common Tasks, Step by Step
- Tools, Equipment and Technology
- Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
- Skills Employers Look For
- Launching Your Bicycle Mechanic Career
- Final Knowledge Check