99 Bikes opened the doors of its first shop in Milton, Brisbane in May 2007.
The shop was initially led by Matt Turner and was a small 170m2 space on Milton Rd, fitting 99 bikes into the building. Nine is also Matt’s favourite number. A team of four worked in the shop at Milton open 7 days a week, 7am – 7pm weekdays. There was one small room 3m x 4m that tripled as a workshop for two mechanics, an accounts office and the stock receiving area.
Our objective is to be “The World’s Most Approachable Bike Shops”. We take our customers from their first bike right through to their dream bike. From beginners to recreational riders, to enthusiasts – we are the experts, we add value and we always maintain our approachable manner. We are creating a groundbreaking professional bike business with passionate people, skilful mechanics and exciting products.
Today, 99 Bikes is Australia’s largest bicycle retailer with over 500 staff and over 50 stores in six states and now two countries. They are a fast-growing business whose 2035 vision is to have 185 stores in 5 countries, making them the largest group of bike shops in the world.
HERE'S A SNAPSHOT...
2007Founded
50+Locations
500+Staff
Get a Career with 99 Bikes
99 Bikes is Australia’s largest bicycle retailer and part of the highly successful Flight Centre Travel Group. We have 50+ locations across Australia and over 800 staff. Our 2035 vision is to have 185 stores in 5 countries and be the world’s largest group of bike shops.
Being a part of a rapidly growing and successful business offers unique role diversity, opportunities for progression and making a big difference in an engaged team. The Flight Centre partnership provides 99 Bikes with world-class support across all areas of business as well as ongoing career opportunities for high achievers.
Culture People are our number one philosophy, another is Purpose over Profit, we strive to provide a culture that is more than just a job.
Working with motivated individuals who are excited by teamwork. We take our business seriously, but not ourselves.
A national brand that’s constantly growing. Sink your teeth into an exciting bike industry brand that provides many growth opportunities.
We reward and recognise our people, our top performers are rewarded for their efforts at our yearly Global Ball. Each year a new destination awaits.
Generous staff benefits, commission-based roles, staff purchasing schemes and social events.
Our Purpose and Philosophies
Mind
Riding is a simple pleasure for the mind. We want to support the mental health of our people and our customers.
Body
Riding keeps you active which is more and more important in the world we live in. Commuting, competing and fun all involve exercise, boosting our physical health.
Earth
We want to be environmentally friendly in everything we do. The bikes we sell can help the environment.
Soul
We want to help those less fortunate than our customers or us. It is good for the soul to give back and send blessings forward.
Freedom
An amazing feeling that we value and we want to promote though the simple action of riding a bike.
Riding
We love bikes, we love riding bikes. We want to encourage this internally and externally.
Our Philosophies
People
The company is our people. We care about our people and their Brightness of Future. We have high expectations of performance and teamwork and promote from within.
Customers
We are driven by recognising the customer’s perspective. The customer always has a choice.
Purpose Over Profit
1 + 2 = 3. We believe profit is the best measure of success, which helps us live our purpose.
Ownership
It’s important to treat the business like it’s your own business, with passion for your role.
Take Responsibility
We look within and take responsibility for our success and failures. We encourage everyone to Talk Up to improve the company.
Irreverence
We take our business seriously but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Mostly this relates to celebration and fun.
Egalitarianism
There is no us & them. Each individual has equal privileges & rights.
A.M.P
Autonomy, mastery and purpose are the 3 biggest motivators of our people.
Family, Village, Tribe
A lean, flat structure with transparent communication. Small teams of 8 or less.
One Best Way
The discipline to follow standard systems until a better way is found. We value common sense over conventional wisdom.
Our People
The company is our people. We care about our people and their Brightness of Future. We have high expectations of performance and teamwork and promote from within.
Recruiting Talent
Our teams are comprised of mostly full or part time individuals. Not everyone will suit our business model, our culture or our values
KIPA
Keenness
Passion for bikes, persistence and commitment long term.
Intelligence
Smart, ability and potential.
Personality
Openness, inner confidence and team player.
Achievements
Proven success and high standards.
The Ultimate Consultant
The consultant role is 50/50. 50% about the numbers and 50% teamwork. These 4 trends are consistent with our best consultants:
Customers Are Their Number One Priority
Meet and greet within 30 seconds
Customers are not an interruption to the day
Master of In-store Systems
Contacting customers before they contact us
Leading by example with adherence and consistency
Hunger For Knowledge & Achievement
Taking initiative with the many resources available to grow expertise
Directorship Champion
Absolute team player; getting the basics done well each week
Skilful Mechanics
We have professional workshops with skilled mechanics in every shop. To be a good mechanic there are 4 areas to master. These areas are equally important and can be trained and improved in the role of the mechanic.
Technical Skills & Knowledge
Reliability & Consistency
Efficiency & Organisation
Communication
Staff Benefits
The Grand Tour
The purpose of The Grand Tour is to reward and celebrate progression in store. Each coloured jersey represents a level of knowledge, achievement and independence.
The Yellow Jersey is the ultimate achievement. The holders are admired as product knowledge experts with team members and customers appreciating their advice, coaching and skill. A customer review from a happy customer who spent time with Stephen Morrisey, a Yellow Jersey holder at 99 Bikes Kawana.
Bang Nights
Our monthly rewards night is a vehicle for inspiration and recognition. We have great supplier relationships, they host the event, provide valuable product training and connect with our team.
Bang Nights prizes and shout outs go to our monthly superstars who excel in results, customer feedback or aligning with our philosophies. It is the perfect time to connect with everyone in the Area and have plenty of fun!
Each July our ‘Bang Nights’ turn into the EOFY Balls, each Area having a massive celebration of the last financial year – time to suit up!
Earning To Give1% of each employee’s wage is donated to their chosen charity
Our Earning To Give program allows each 99 Bikes and Advance Traders employee to choose where the company donates money each year. This means the company donates to charities that are personally meaningful to our people, and colleagues can rally around relevant causes.
Each person can donate 1% of their yearly earnings. This amount is donated by Pedal Group, in addition to each employee’s earnings.
Employees also have the option to deduct extra money from each payslip through Payroll Giving. These extra deductions are in addition to the 1% that the company donates. Money deducted through Payroll Giving is set aside and donated to the chosen charity at the end of the financial year.
99 Bikes Global
Our Workshops
Workshops are responsible for ensuring quality control and safety of all bikes that leave our stores, including managing bike warranties.
Workshop Structure
Workshop Team Leader
Mechanics
Directorships
Trainee Mechanics
Velo Mechanics
Workshop Priorities
Workshop priorities ensure bikes are available on the shop floors is the number 1 priority as our customers expect this with “The World’s Most Approachable Bike Shops”.
Bike builds for shop
First free tune-ups
Warranties for customers
Servicing
Toolbox Talks
A Toolbox Talk is an informal safety meeting that focuses on safety topics related to the specific job, such as workplace hazards and safe work practices.
Ferrari workshop directorship
Clean and professional workshop areas
Your workshop reflects you
Working with tools
Become a Master Bicycle Mechanic
The bicycle industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia. Bicycles are quickly becoming the go-to transportation choice for commuting, fitness and recreation. They are cheap to run, keep you fit and a very practical form of transportation. Furthermore, the rapid growth of Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) is captivating the world and producing a new generation of road, trail and eco-friendly cycling enthusiasts. The modern design and advanced technology of E-Bikes plus traditional pedal bicycles has become very intricate and technical, which means the Bicycle Mechanic/Technician role is more critical than ever. Taking your bike in for a service is the same as taking your car or motorcycle in for its regular service. This ensures a bright future and a diverse range of career pathways for anyone seeking to work in this dynamic, fast-paced industry.
In the past the majority of bicycle mechanics in Australia started out working in a store workshop and learnt on the job from an experienced mechanic. In fact prior to 2020, very few bicycle mechanics completed a ‘formal’ qualification, which is not uncommon in certain vocational industries.
More recently the Bicycle Industry and the Australian Government has seen a bicycle mechanic apprenticeship or certified training as a great alternative for those school-leavers seeking a hands-on type role similar to that of a car, truck or motorcycle mechanic.
Currently, there are two career pathways available for bicycle mechanics. These are:
Cytech Certified Training
Cytech is an internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians. In Australia, it is delivered in partnership with a selection of industry organisations, trainers and retailers, as Cytech Australia.
Since 1990, over 16,000 Cytech training courses and qualifications have been delivered to candidates across the world, including staff at some of the industry’s leading bicycle distributors.
Cytech courses cover the basics of cycle mechanics right through to dealing with the most advanced and high-tech components and parts.
Our Industry Partner 99 Bikes is the only Bicycle retail business in Australia licensed to deliver Cytech certified training. So, starting with a job at 99 Bikes as a novice mechanic, sales consultant or casual bike builder, can lead to you selecting a mechanic career in one of their 55 + workshops around Australia. You will earn your globally recognised Cytech training master technician status, while working for the largest Bicycle retailer in Australia & New Zealand.
Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations
The Certificate III is the Australian qualification accredited under the Vocational Education & Training pathway. Students complete the qualification at a registered training organisation, such as TAFE, and then seek to find a job and pursue a career in the industry. The Certificate III in Bicycle Workshop Operations enables you to be a qualified bicycle repair technician or bicycle mechanic.
Some Employers, like 99 Bikes or other independent bicycle retailers, may be able to offer an Apprenticeship under this qualification, as they may have a partnership with a Registered Training Organisation that has the Certificate III as part of their curriculum.
What skills do you need as a Bike Mechanic?
Experienced Bicycle Mechanics are highly valued and historically most bicycle mechanics have developed their skills on or working on their own bikes. However, there are professional certified pathways available for Bicycle Mechanics that can commence from an early age and develop into a fully certified Master Bicycle Technician. Generally speaking, to love and be successful in a career as a bicycle mechanic you:
Are more inclined to be mechanically minded and enjoy working with your hands.
Believe the formula for the number of bikes you should own is N = N +1, where N is the number of bikes your currently own.
Are very focused and have extreme attention to detail.
Are not perfect, but you always like your work to be. Perfection and mastery are an obsession.
Prefer the company of others. You like to work in a team and are also comfortable in a retail environment interacting with customers.
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From School to Bicycle Mechanic with 99 Bikes
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99 Bikes Career Info Night
Hear from us at 99 Bikes about how to start your career in a growing industry
June 14, 2022 |
Free
Are you passionate about bikes? Do you want to turn your passion into a career? Come join us to learn more about how we can develop you as a Bicycle Mechanic and all the opportunities available in this growing industry. Hear from young mechanics and those who have made bikes their career, discussing pathways they have taken that you too can take. Don’t miss out!
