Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Bike Recovery Team Member

🎯 Role Definition

A Bike Recovery Team Member is a field operations specialist responsible for locating, collecting, securing, and documenting dockless bikes, e-bikes, and scooters across an assigned geography. This role combines safe driving and manual handling with inventory management, minor mechanical triage, and data-driven route execution. The ideal candidate is physically fit, safety-focused, comfortable with GPS and mobile apps, skilled in basic bicycle mechanics, and experienced at working independently while representing the company professionally in public settings.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Warehouse Associate
Bike Mechanic / Bicycle Retail Associate
Delivery Driver / Van Operator

Advancement To:

Lead Recovery Technician / Route Supervisor
Fleet Operations Coordinator
Field Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician (Bicycle & e-bike Repairs)
Logistics Coordinator
Customer Operations Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Locate and recover dockless bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters using GPS, route maps, and phone apps; prioritize collections based on safety, customer demand, and operational goals.
Operate company vehicles (vans, trucks, or cargo bikes) safely to pickup and transport multiple assets per route while complying with local traffic laws and company vehicle policies.
Securely load, tie down, and unload bikes and e-bikes using approved lifting techniques and tie-down equipment to prevent in-transit damage.
Inspect each recovered bike or e-bike for visible damage, battery status, safety defects (brakes, tires, lights), and document condition using mobile inspection forms and photographs.
Perform minor on-the-spot repairs and adjustments (flat tire patching, brake adjustments, handlebar alignment, chain repair) to make assets rideable when appropriate.
Remove and quarantine severely damaged or unsafe bikes, tagging them for depot repair or disposal according to chain-of-custody and asset management procedures.
Operate and manage e-bike battery removal, safe handling, and transport procedures following manufacturer and hazardous materials guidance when applicable.
Enter accurate inventory data into field apps or asset management systems at point of collection, including GPS coordinates, device ID, condition codes, and time stamps.
Prioritize and execute high-volume collection routes efficiently to meet daily pickup targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Coordinate with dispatch, route planners, and operations coordinators to receive dynamic route updates and special collection requests.
Communicate professionally with members of the public, business owners, and city officials regarding parked bikes, property access, and collection actions.
Respond to reports of abandoned, illegally parked, or hazardous bikes and remove them promptly to minimize public safety issues and fines.
Support inbound logistics at the depot: unload vehicles, segregate bikes by condition, and stage assets for repair, charging, or re-deployment.
Maintain company vehicle cleanliness and basic maintenance (fueling, tire pressures, fluid checks) and report mechanical issues promptly to fleet services.
Follow all safety protocols, use required PPE (gloves, high-visibility vests, safety boots), and attend regular safety briefings.
Tag and secure evidence for theft investigations as directed, including filling chain-of-custody paperwork and handing over assets to law enforcement when needed.
Assist with seasonal or event-driven redeployment (moving bikes to high-demand zones for festivals, sporting events, or campaign launches).
Participate in training on new hardware, software tools, and standard operating procedures to maintain consistent recovery standards.
Meet productivity and quality targets while balancing customer service obligations and adherence to local regulations and contracts.
Provide timely reports on recurring issues, route inefficiencies, and asset health trends to help improve recovery processes and reduce operational costs.
Support cross-functional projects such as pilot programs, new city onboarding, or data collection efforts (e.g., mapping parking hot spots).
Maintain secure storage of recovered bikes and ensure accurate turnaround to maintenance, charging, or redeployment teams.

Secondary Functions

Assist with inventory counts and reconciliation during depot audits; label, sort, and store spare parts and accessories.
Support periodic deep-clean and refurbishment events for bulk-recovered bikes.
Provide ad-hoc on-the-ground feedback to product and operations teams about recurring mechanical failures or user-reported issues.
Help coordinate with third-party towing or impound services when recovery requires escalation.
Assist customer support by providing factual recovery logs or photographic evidence for user disputes and billing inquiries.
Contribute to route optimization efforts by identifying inefficiencies and suggesting improvements related to traffic patterns and parking behavior.
Participate in public outreach or community engagement initiatives to promote safe parking and proper use of shared mobility devices.
Train new team members on safe bike handling, field apps, route best practices, and company policies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

GPS navigation and route-following proficiency using mobile apps (Google Maps, Waze) and specialized fleet/recovery applications.
Experience with mobile asset management and field service apps for data capture, photo documentation, and work-order completion.
Basic bicycle mechanics: tube/tyre repair, brake tuning, gear indexing, chain maintenance, headset/seatpost adjustments.
E-bike battery handling and safety procedures, including safe removal, transport, and understanding of basic electrical hazards.
Safe operation of company vehicles (vans, pickup trucks, cargo bikes); valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Proficiency in manual lifting, tie-down techniques, and knowledge of load securement standards for transport.
Inventory management and barcode/QR-code scanning for tracking recovered assets and parts.
Familiarity with municipal regulations and local ordinances related to sidewalk/street parking of shared mobility assets.
Basic use of power tools and hand tools commonly used in field repairs (wrenches, pumps, multi-tools, electric screwdrivers).
Ability to capture and upload high-quality photographic evidence and write concise condition reports for each recovered asset.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy in documenting device IDs, GPS locations, and condition notes.
Excellent time management and route prioritization skills to meet daily collection targets and KPIs.
Clear, professional verbal and written communication when interacting with the public, colleagues, and city officials.
Customer-service orientation with de-escalation skills for handling complaints and confrontational situations.
Problem-solving mindset to triage damaged units and make on-the-spot repair or disposition decisions.
Teamwork and collaboration across field ops, maintenance, and logistics teams.
Physical stamina and resilience for repetitive lifting, walking, and working in all weather conditions.
Adaptability to changing routes, last-minute dispatch updates, and high-volume collection days.
Dependability and strong attendance; ability to work early mornings, evenings, or weekends as required.
Safety-first attitude—able to follow PPE rules, hazard reporting, and safe driving/handling protocols.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate in bicycle repair, automotive, or logistics.
Certifications in workplace safety (OSHA or equivalent) or defensive driving.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Bicycle Mechanics / Cycle Technology
Automotive Technology / Fleet Maintenance
Logistics, Supply Chain, or Operations Management
Electrical or Electronics (for e-bike battery handling)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in field recovery, bicycle mechanics, delivery, or similar hands-on roles. Entry-level candidates with mechanical aptitude and strong work ethic are welcome.

Preferred:

1–2 years experience in bike share operations, field recovery, or fleet logistics.
Demonstrated experience operating company vehicles and handling bulk asset pickups.
Prior exposure to e-bike battery safety and basic electrical awareness.