Wheels for the World

Imagine a team building event that is both exciting for your group and gives back to underprivileged kids. With the Wheels for the World bike building team building program, your team can experience a fast-paced and engaging team event while making an immediate and meaningful impact on the lives of children in your area.

Do you recall your first bicycle? Remember the fun, the adventure, the freedom? Wheels for the World offers your team the chance to pass those feelings on to a child by building and donating bikes for kids.

Anyone can assemble a bike (well, almost anyone) if they receive all of the parts, a few tools, and the instructions. But, in Wheels for the World, teams must earn the parts by participating in fun team building challenges. Each activity is funnier than the last in this energy-filled session.

During this team building activity, teams work to earn the front tire, seat, handle bars, and pedals while simultaneously building teamwork, strengthening relationships and developing trust. (By the way, a cycling professional will be on hand to make sure the bikes are assembled properly.)

The biggest surprise of the day is yet to come. Once the bikes are assembled, you will have the opportunity to decorate them with a colorful, personalized card and lots of balloons, beads and stickers. Teams perform a fun skit or commercial about their bike at the end and everyone thinks this is the grand finale.

But wait…
We line up the bikes in the front of the room so that your team can admire their handiwork. Then, participants close their eyes and are told to imagine the looks on the children’s faces when they receive their new bikes.

But what if they didn’t have to imagine?
Shhhhh, don’t say anything, but we will make arrangements to bring the children to your team building program where your staff will present the bikes directly to kids.

Kids are jumping for joy… adults get a little misty-eyed.

In Wheels for the World, your team will share a heart-felt bonding experience and know that they’ve done something truly impactful for the community.

Program Highlights:

Teams strengthen communication, cooperation, friendship, confidence and trust.
Your organization makes a lasting contribution to a charity in your area.
The tangible morale boost and feeling of goodwill will help bond your team and last long after the program.

Can your teams handle it?

Request a Proposal

Program Stats:

Group size: 25-500+
Program Length: 2-3 hours
Suggested Team Size: 5 is optimal, 3-6 is fine
Space requirements: 1 60” round table per group
Program Location: inside or outside

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What is the best team size?

We typically recommend teams of 5. However, teams of 3-6 can also work well. 7 or more people per team will not be as engaging for all of the participants.

Is it better to predetermine the members of the teams or randomly assign people to teams?

The answer to this question depends upon your goal for the session. Sometimes, participants are comprised of several teams from one department. In these cases, our clients tend to like to preset the teams so that people can interact with people they don’t work with on a regular basis. Other times, groups are comprised of a single team or department and randomly assigning teams works fine.

Who forms the teams?

We can randomize small groups on the spot, but for groups larger than 20 people, we recommend you form the teams ahead of time. If you are preselecting the teams, we suggest you disseminate this information to the participants either at the program or prior to the event. We do not recommend reading off of a list at the beginning of the program.

What is the typical length of the program, and is this flexible?

A typical program runs 2.5-3 hours. Half-hour flexibility is easy in either direction. The program can be shortened to a minimum run time of 1.5 hours. For groups of 25 or fewer participants, we recommend no more than 2 hours.

How much set-up time is needed?

It takes one hour to unpack and set-up 8 bikes. 9-20 bikes require 2 hours. 21-50 bikes require 3 hours. Each bike is unboxed, the wrapping is removed, and all parts are inspected by a bike tech for easy assembly. Note that this is noisy and messy- an air compressor is used to inflate the tires and there is a lot of packing material. Therefore, this cannot be done in the back of a room while a meeting is taking place in the front of the room.

We’re using our meeting room all day, can set up be done in another room and moved in during our break?

This is possible if the room is very close and carts are available. Also, there needs to be a long enough break that gives us the time to move all the training materials and bike parts. Minimum half-hour break is required, but this could vary based on the group size.

What are the room requirements?

The ideal set up is one 60” round table with linens and chairs for each team. Three 8’ rectangular tables for program supplies and bike parts are needed at the front of the room (for up to 20 bikes). Also, a screen, projector, sound system and microphone (for groups larger than 30) are needed. Please request large trash cans be placed in each corner of the room.

Where do the kids come from?

We have partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. Team Builders Plus will make the arrangements to bring the kids to the program. We will make sure that the charity has a way of transporting the kids to and from the event and a way to get the bikes home.

Can we choose our own charity?

You can pick the charity and we will coordinate the logistics for you.

Are charities concerned about Covid?

Yes. Depending on the severity of Covid in the region where the program is taking place, some charities are not sending kids to the program as a matter of safety precautions. They will send a representative instead. Team Builders Plus can not control this decision and the charity’s decision and protocol may change at any time.

Where do the bikes come from?

The bikes come directly from the Kent factory. We get the most gender-neutral bikes possible.

Can we do boys bikes and girls bikes?

No. We usually do not know how many boys and girls are coming, and this can change based on attendance that day.

How are the kids chosen?

Each organization has its own method, but common methods involve most community service performed, excellent or improved achievement in school, attendance, and positive attitude.

Do we need to make any special arrangements for the kids?

We recommend having a small room for the kids to gather on their arrival. This minimizes the chances of people seeing the kids if they step out to use the restroom or make a call. You may choose to provide a snack if you wish.

Is this messy? Will we get dirty?

The bike chain is already assembled onto the bike frame so there is no grease or dirt from the bikes. We will be using art supplies on the tables, so there will be trash on the tables at the end of the event.

Can this be done outdoors?

In theory, yes, but we don’t recommend it. Be sure to account for the weather and have a back-up plan. However, please keep in mind there are small screws involved in the process and these can easily get lost in the grass. There is also a lot of paperwork and balloons involved that can get lost on windy days.

Can this be done while drinks and appetizers are being served?

Since people are using tools to assemble the bikes and children will be present, we do not recommend any form of alcohol being consumed during the activity.

We don’t have any experience building bikes. Is this safe?

We have a bike tech at each program to inspect the bikes for safety and help if needed during the building

How much clean up time is needed?

We typically have all our supplies removed from the room within a half hour of the end of the program. Larger group sizes may require more time.