Life Cycles: Lessons from Building Bikes 

Life Cycles, the original bike-building program, allows participants to create something valuable and pass it on to the end user. As they build a bike and gift it to a child, they experience firsthand the value of:

• Collaboration
• Customer-centricity
• Teamwork

Metaphors like these are rich and relevant to teams and leaders. Yet, there are also less obvious lessons that emerge during the program.

The Tire Pump Metaphor 

Tires need air. Everyone thinks they know how to use a bicycle pump, right? Simple: secure the nozzle over the valve and inflate.

But here’s the twist: in the past twenty years, the way to secure the pump has completely changed.

What Happens When We Don’t Adapt

• People ignore instructions and diagrams.
• The result? Frustration, rework, and broken equipment.
• Not good if you’re building bikes for kids.
• Not good if you’re aiming to build a world-class business.

A Lesson in Humility 

Breaking a tube for a child’s bike was a personal lesson in humility. I realized:

• Even if I think I know, I must pause.
• I need to check if the “game” has changed.
• Speed without awareness leads to mistakes.

The Bigger Picture 

The world and business are changing fast. The question is:

Can you afford not to pause, confirm what is truly needed, and THEN act?

Whether building bikes—or building businesses—the takeaway is simple:

Look at the pictures carefully.