Cycling UK’s online ride leader training course for members

By Julie Rand

Being a ride leader is a fantastic way to give back to cycling and help other people enjoy it, too. Photo: Gerald Hoban, Cycling UK volunteer photographer

Cycling UK’s online course aims to give our member group ride leaders the confidence and skills to organise enjoyable leisure rides. Find out what it involves and how you can register to take part

Volunteer ride leaders perform an essential role within the cycling community, enabling other riders to enjoy trips by bike without the worry of finding a good route or welcoming coffee stop, allowing them to concentrate on spending quality time in like-minded company for the good of their physical and mental health.

Cycling UK’s new interactive training module, which will initially be available to its member group ride leaders only from January 2023, will give existing and future ride leaders the knowledge and resources they need to plan and lead rides and activities that will ensure people keep coming back for more.

Sharing knowledge and insight

The course has been designed to bring together all the knowledge and insight gained through almost a century and a half of ride-leading experience into one set of standards for Cycling UK groups to follow.

It has been devised by staff at the charity, including qualified cycle instructors, experienced ride leaders and others, and was peer reviewed by a team of volunteer course reviewers from a wide range of backgrounds.

Chair of Cycling UK’s board of trustees Dr Janet Atherton OBE says: “Running a successful group really depends on having volunteers who are willing to step up and lead or assist on rides. If you’ve always fancied giving it a go, this training provides exactly what is needed to understand what it takes to be an effective ride leader and get you ready for leading your first ride. It’s also a great refresher for more experienced leaders.”

Chief executive of Cycling UK Sarah Mitchell adds: “We are very pleased to announce this initiative, which will ensure that all our member group rides will continue to be well organised, enjoyable and safe, building on the wonderful legacy of the past 144 years of companionship and fun provided by our outstanding volunteer ride leaders.”

I have found this a very clear and concise course, covering all the aspects of ride leading in a simple-to-use, interactive format. I have really enjoyed working through each section and testing my knowledge with the quick quizzes

Volunteer ride leader course reviewer

Clear and concise

An experienced ride leader and volunteer course reviewer said of the training: “I have found this a very clear and concise course, covering all the aspects of ride leading in a simple to use, interactive format. I have really enjoyed working through each section and testing my knowledge with the quick quizzes.”

Another commented: “As an experienced cyclist, but someone new to leading, I thought the training was easy to follow and informative, and gave me some useful hints and tips.”

Units will include

Ride planning
Paperwork and equipment
Keeping the group safe
Before you set off
During the ride
Post-ride and ride-leader essentials

They will cover areas such as carrying out a risk assessment, safeguarding, how to keep track of your riders, ride leader ratios, road positioning and the Highway Code, what to take with you and how to be more inclusive and attract a diverse range of riders.

An accompanying handbook and other resources will clearly set out everything else you need to know to be a successful ride leader.

Get in touch

To find out how to access the course and register your interest in taking part, contact volunteering@cyclinguk.org.

Local groups and cycling clubs Volunteering for Cycling UK Hobby or leisure

Downloads

How to access the free ride leader training

Ask your member group secretary (groups that are made up of our members) to send us your name, email address and membership number if you are registered with them as a ride leader
You will then be added to the external training platform
After clicking the link in your welcome email, you’ll be brought to our online training platform home page
Click ‘Signup’ to create an account and get started
Enter your personal details; we recommend using the same login details as the Cycling UK website (if you already have an account). Please enter your Cycling UK membership number in the last box. After creating your account, please take a moment to read and accept our learning platform’s terms and conditions
Click ‘Get your first course’ (dark blue button below) to add the ride leader e-learning to your account
Select ‘Get this course’ under the ‘Member Group Ride Leader’ section
The ride leader training is being provided free of charge to all member group ride leaders. Click ‘Got a coupon’ to access this training for free
Enter the code from the welcome email into the ‘Coupon’ field. Click ‘Validate’
The course has now been added to your account. Click the course to get started
You are all set to go, click ‘Start or resume course’ to load the interactive e-learning
There’s guidance on how to navigate the interactive e- learning content in the introduction section of the course
If you haven't received a welcome email and are a member group ride leader who wishes to access it, please contact volunteering@cyclinguk.org with your name and membership number and request to be added.
If your group is an affiliate group not a member group, you might consider running a paid-for bespoke course through Cycling UK depending on cost and a minimum number of participants: Cycle courses and training | Cycling UK.