Issue: There are currently over 30 different bodies governing the sport and recreation of cycling in Britain and there are multiple award schemes in existence not all of which are appropriate for use in licensable situations. This note gives guidance on the various appropriate awards.
1. The official National Governing Body of cycle sport in the UK (simply because it is the body responsible for the bulk of competitive elements and the selection of National, Olympic and International Teams) is British Cycling (BC); formerly the British Cycling Federation (BCF). Their remit encompasses the disciplines of cycle speedway, BMX, cyclo-cross, track cycling, time trialling and bunch racing. This role is performed at national levels in the respective countries: by the Welsh Cycling Union (WCU), the Scottish Cycling Union (SCU) and the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation (NICF).
2. In addition to these national governing bodies there are a number of clubs or organisations which represent specific interests, disciplines, genders or age groups within the sport (e.g. The Scottish Veterans Time Trials Association.
3. The Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) is numerically the largest and probably the most influential of these cycling organisations. The CTC is regarded as the "establishment" in the cycling world and has been extremely effective in fighting for cyclist’s rights and improving access for cycling.
4. Many of these organisations have, for a long time, had organised coaching structures and/or systems for recognising the competence of their personnel as coaches. However the primary aim of all these systems was to improve the sporting performance of the competitive cyclist and not necessarily to recognise the organisational or leadership qualities of those persons who delivered the coaching.
5. The growth of off-road cycling and its adoption by the outdoor community as an outdoor activity put demands on the existing coaching schemes as there was an identified need to train and assess leaders or coaches in the whole gamut of skills involved in leading groups of young people in the outdoors.
6. The Licensing Service is aware of the national governing bodies (NGBs) and several other organisations offering training in off-road cycling. In addition to the schemes organised by the various NGBs or associations there are a number of commercial operators offering their own training /assessment schemes for off-road cycling leaders.
7. Providers should note that not all of these schemes meet the Licensing Service’s criteria as detailed in Annex 1. Potential users of any training scheme are advised to refer to the Matrix (see below) for guidance as to the current standing of those schemes the Licensing Service have considered.
8. Some of these schemes require participants to have additional competence or qualifications to allow them to manage the navigation or to deal with emergency situations while operating in remote areas. Generally the possession of a National Governing Body (NGB) Award such as Mountain Leader Award (ML), the Walking Group Leader Award (WGL) or the Basic Expedition Leader (BEL) Award is a prerequisite of holding those awards which qualify cycling leaders to operate in remote terrain. Where these are required this is indicated in the text relating to that scheme and in the qualifications matrix (see below).
9. It should be noted that some schemes cover these on-foot aspects during the course of their training or provide additional training modules to cover these. The awards offered by these schemes are recognised as “stand-alone” awards and are indicated as such in the matrix.
10. The Licensing Service is currently aware of the following organisations offering training leading to qualifications appropriate for leading cycling off-road.
11. NB: Two of these organisations, the British Schools Cycling Association (BSCA, formerly the English Schools Cycling Association) and the Association of British Cycling Coaches (ABCC) have had long standing qualifications that have been updated to take account of the demand for off-road qualifications. With the qualifications issued by these organisations it would be prudent to check the vintage of the award to ensure that the holder has appropriate off-road competence.
12. The other organisations listed in this document have responded to the demand for off-road cycling training by producing new award structures to deal specifically with off-road cycling.
13. Off-road cycle training in the UK is constantly evolving and developing to respond to the demands of user groups. This document contains the most recent understanding of the situation but may be subject to change.
This was the original cycle leader award. The ABCC offers four levels of coaching qualifications. These awards are primarily coaching rather than leadership awards and may well be held by people who have an extensive cycling or competitive coaching background but limited experience of leading groups in an off-road environment. Only the Preliminary Cycling Coach Award deals specifically with the leadership of off-road cycling groups.
Preliminary Cycling Coach Award - this two-day course provides the student with hands-on experience of organising, controlling and coaching cycling in an off-road environment. On successful completion of the course and a series of NCF workbooks the candidate is awarded a Preliminary Cycling Coach Award. NB: For the outdoor community, the PCCA Award is best seen as a "bolt-on" award providing cycling specific knowledge to those with existing leadership and organisational skills. The PCCA may be obtained in the context of various cycling disciplines e.g. Track or Road racing. The only relevant award is a PCCA in Off-road Cycling.
Assistant Coach (Student) - status of someone who has enrolled and is undergoing the process of becoming a Coach (as below).
Coach - aimed at the coach working in a cycling club situation. The syllabus includes areas such as Anatomy and Physiology, Fitness Training Diet and Nutrition Race Tactics and Sports Psychology.
Senior Coach - as above but older, wiser and with a background in competitive coaching.
BOB is not a national governing body but is a commercial organisation offering a range of courses for prospective and existing cycling leaders. BOB offers cycle training and qualifications at four levels that relate to the location and technicality of the operating terrain. In addition to the cycle training BOB also offers a range of additional training modules covering such aspects as Navigation and Incident Management. These modules allow the BOB training scheme to be recognised as a stand-alone scheme. That is, they allow holders of BOB Awards to operate in remote country without the need for additional awards from other National Governing Bodies.
Site Specific - primarily aimed at activity centres and organisations wishing to qualify leaders "in-house" where all cycling activities take place on-site or follow prescribed routes. The operating area will be non-remote but the route may contain technical sections.
Level 1 - this level qualifies candidates to lead on well-defined highways in non-remote technical terrain such as forest tracks, roads and cycleways. The route remains below 600m and less than 2.5 Km or within 30 minutes walk from a road or shelter, in areas that present little or no navigational difficulty.
Level 2 - this level qualifies the holder to lead in remote locations below 600m on technical terrain where the rider will encounter rough ground and narrow trails. To hold this award candidates require to have documented proof of their competence to navigate and to handle emergency incidents in this type of terrain. This competence can be evidenced by an appropriate NGB Award or by the Navigation and Incident Management module provided by the BOB scheme. Candidates who do not have such additional skills will have a geographical restriction placed on their operations.
Level 3 - this award qualifies leaders to lead groups on defined routes through mountainous country in summer conditions. To hold this award, candidates will be required to present proof of their competence to navigate and to handle emergency situations in mountainous country. This competence can be evidenced by an appropriate NGB Award or by the Navigation and Incident Management module provided by the BOB scheme. Candidates who do not have such additional skills will have a geographical restriction placed on their operations.
British Off-road Biking Support Modules - Navigation and Incident Management modules are available at levels relevant to each level of cycle leadership award. A Maintenance module develops the competence required to operate at Levels 2 and 3. An Expedition module looks at the issues that present themselves on multi-day rides.
Closely linked with the Association of British Cycling Coaches who deliver most of the coaching courses - BSCA offers four coaching awards, only the Mountain Bike / Off-Road Leader's Course being appropriate to leading off-road cycling.
Touring Leader's Course - deals with the problems of cycling with groups of young people on road.
Cycle Teaching Certificate Course - deals with organising competitive cycling in a school situation.
Track Cycling Teaching Course - as its name suggest deals with competitive track cycling.
Mountain Bike/Off-Road Leader's Course - this course is designed to enable leaders to take young people on off-road cycling activities on rights of way and bridleways in open country situations. Open country is defined as below 381 metres (1250 feet), anything above this is wild country; for wild country a Mountain Leader Award is required. This two day course deals with all the areas in which a leader of off-road cycling would be required to be competent. An appropriate First Aid qualification is a pre-requirement.
Participants must show evidence of competence in managing groups of children e.g. a teaching or youth work qualification or something like a BCU or RYA Award.
All BSCA courses are continuously assessed during the course.
MIAS is not a national governing body. It is a commercial training provider offering a range of courses for prospective and current cycling leaders. The Mountain-bike Instructors' Award Scheme was developed by the "Martin Nash" Centre to meet the need for structured training for those involved in leading mountain bike trips. The award has been operating almost exclusively in the Birmingham and West Midlands area for circa twelve years and is now being promoted outside of that area. MIAS also provide a Welsh Mountain-bike Instructors’ Award Scheme that mirrors the structures and standards of the parent scheme.
There are currently six levels of training and instruction. The initial three levels are instructor / leader awards for various levels of the activity while the three higher are for those tutoring or organising courses at the initial three levels.
Mountain Bike Instructor Grade One - Basic Skills - this award allows access into low-level terrain, with few potential hazards, i.e. country parks, canal towpaths, and non-wilderness areas where help is almost immediately accessible.
Mountain Bike Instructor Grade Two - Intermediate Skills - this award allows access into Wild Country, with the potential hazards that surround such terrain. Holders may lead on bridleways below 450m in wilderness area. Candidates must also hold the BEL Award to operate within these geographical limits.
Mountain Bike Instructor Grade Three - Advanced Skills - this level covers areas defined as mountainous by the Mountain Leader Training UK, but excludes ridges and potential hazardous routes such as ridges or routes involving scrambling. Possession of an ML Award is a prerequisite of holding this award.
National Mountain Bike Leadership Award Scheme
The Cyclists Touring Club is not a national governing body. It is a membership organisation which offer a range of services and training opportunities to its membership. From early 2009 the training that was formerly provided by Off-Road Training Consultancy (OTC) has been incorporated into CTC's portfolio of training and is now organised and delivered under the CTC banner.
The current Leadership Award Scheme has three levels that qualify the holder to lead at different levels. The Leadership scheme is complemented by a range of Skill Awards that provide additional skills training for those aspiring to the various leadership awards. The training provided via the Skill Awards ensure that candidates have sufficient bike-handling skills and technical riding knowledge to deal with the sort of riding and the sort of problems that they may encounter when leading groups within their remit.
Trail Mountain Bike Leader - a Trail Leader is defined as competent to lead groups on non-technical terrain. This should not include terrain that involves specific route selection; for example between rocks, roots or other obstacles in order to ride on it. Typical terrain includes forest tracks, fireroads, cycleways and other smooth ground. Public highways and roads also fall within this definition. Geographical Limits - this terrain should lie lower than 600m above sea level and less than 30 minutes walk (about 2.5 km) from a road or shelter.
Technical Mountain Bike Leader - a Technical Leader is described as someone who can successfully ride on technical terrain. This terrain includes single-track and routes with obstacles; such as roots, rocks or holes, which require technical skill to be ridden over or avoided. Typical terrain includes; single track, farm and moorland tracks and paths and other rights of way that require line selection to ride. The Technical Mountain Bike Leader award has the same geographical limits as the Trail Mountain Bike Leader award as described above but can operate within those limits on more technical terrain.
Advanced Mountain Bike Leader - the holder of an Advanced Mountain Bike Leader Award is qualified to lead groups on cycle accessible rights of way that are defined on the map and on the ground. This includes technical and non-technical ground that is ride-able for the majority of the route by suitably skilled riders. In inclement weather, where combinations of cold temperature, heavy continuous precipitation, high winds and poor visibility exist, the remit of the award is reduced to Technical Mountain bike Leader terrain unless the leader possesses other awards which qualify him/her to operate in these conditions.
This scheme was developed by the Scottish Cyclists Union (SCU) in conjunction with the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education. It is managed on behalf of SCU by the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Association (SMBLA) who act as the technical advisory group for the SCU. Currently the scheme offers leadership awards at two levels which can be expanded by additional modules. These levels are aligned to national standards (SNVQ's).
Trail Cycle Leader - a Trail Cycle Leader is qualified to lead groups on public highways and way marked routes and tracks on which cycling is permitted. All routes should have obvious navigational features and should be no more than 30 minutes walk from a shelter with communication or over 600 metres in height. The Trail Cycle Leader Award consists of a two-day training course, followed by a one-day assessment.
Mountain Bike Leader - the Mountain Bike Leader can operate on similar terrain as above, that is only on well defined routes, tracks or trails with obvious navigational features, but can extend his geographical remit to any height above sea level and to more than 30 minutes walk away from shelter with communication. This award is not be valid for winter conditions where there are underfoot or overhead conditions which would require the skills of a Winter Mountain Leader Award holder to cope with, or where there is a forecast of such conditions. Training for this award is over an additional 2 days following the gaining of the TCL Award. Assessment is carried out over one day.
Additional Modules - these modules are provided as endorsements to either the TCL or MBL Awards and are intended to allow holders to extend the remit of their initial leadership award.
Expedition Module - the Expedition Module provides training and assessment in the leadership and management of self-sufficient groups in expedition situations. Successful candidates will be endorsed to run self-sufficient camping trips within the geographical remit of their initial award.
Night Riding Module - this module looks at the skills and group management issues associated with cycling in darkness. It is aimed at TCL or MBL Award holders although the operating limits of those who have completed this award will always be on TCL terrain.
Winter Riding Module - the Winter Riding Module provides additional training to allow TCL and MBL to work outside the "summer conditions only" of their award. It should be noted that irrespective of the level of the award that they hold they are limited to TCL terrain.
14. Leadership training course providers who are not included in the above list should contact AALS so that consideration can be given to their inclusion.
| Hazard Level | Group Instructor/Leader | Technical Adviser |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Country - winter conditions |
Either;
CTC Advanced Mountain Bike Leader; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader with Winter Riding Module; or BOB Level 3 Award Plus The relevant on-foot qualification (i.e. ML (W)) |
Either;
CTC Leader Trainer ; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader Tutor with Winter Module; or BOB Tutor, Plus The relevant mountaineering qualification (i.e. MIA with MLTB Leader Award - Winter) |
| Mountain Country - Intermediate Conditions Some snow (e.g. a light dusting or avoidable patches) or lightly freezing conditions (e.g. overnight frost) prevalent or forecast. | Either;
CTC Advanced Mountain Bike Leader; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader with Winter Module; or BOB Level 3 Award Plus The relevant on-foot qualification (i.e. ML (W)) |
Either;
CTC Leader Trainer; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader Tutor; or BOB Tutor; Plus The relevant mountaineering qualification (i.e. MIA with MLTB Leader Award - Winter) |
| Mountain Country - Summer Conditions | Either;
CTC Advanced Mountain Bike Leader; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader; or BOB Level 3 Award; or MIAS Mountain Bike Instructor, Grade Three; Plus The relevant on-foot qualification (i.e. ML) |
Either;
CTC Leader Trainer; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader Tutor; or BOB Tutor; or MIAS Grade Six Trainer/Assessor; Plus The relevant mountaineering qualification (i.e. MIA) |
| Lowland Country - Off-road cycling cycle routes, bridle ways or other technical routes in open country more than a 30 minutes walk (or 2.5 km which ever is the less) from a refuge or accessible road | Either;
CTC Technical Mountain Bike Leader; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader; or BOB Level 2 Award; or ABCC Preliminary Cycling Coach; or MIAS Mountain Bike Instructor Grade Two Plus The relevant on-foot qualification e.g. BELA, WGL or ML. |
Either;
CTC Leader Trainer; or SMBLA Mountain Bike Leader /Tutor; or BOB Tutor; or ABCC Tutor; or MIAS Grade Five Trainer /Assessor Plus The relevant mountaineering qualification (i.e. MIA). |
| Lowland Country - trail riding (non-licensable) public highways, cycleways, forestry tracks and non-technical routes no further than a 30 minutes walk (or 2.5 km which ever is the less) from a refuge or accessible road. | Either;
CTC Mountain Bike Leader; or SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader; or BOB Level 1 Award; or ABCC Preliminary Cycling Coach Award; or BSCA Mountain Bike/Off Road Leader; or MIAS Grade 1 Award Plus The relevant on-foot qualification e.g. BEL or WGL |
Either;
CTC Leader Trainer; or SMBLA Tutor; or BOB Tutor; or ABCC Tutor; or BSCA Tutor; or MIAS Grade 4 Trainer/Assessor Plus The relevant on-foot qualification (e.g. ML) |
The above matrix should be read in conjunction with paragraphs 19 – 21 of Guidance from the Licensing Authority on the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004 (L77).
1. Technical Advisors for the On-cycle elements of competence should have:
Either:
2. Technical Advisors for the non-cycling elements of competence should have a Mountain Instructor Award with MLTB leader award (winter) when that is necessary; and appropriate experience and maturity.
1. The following criteria are used by the Licensing Service when considering the suitability of off-road cycle leadership training and accreditation schemes as an indicator of competence to lead licensable off-road cycling.
2. This is a working document for inspectors of the Adventure Activities Licensing Service and may be used by them when inspecting the provision of these activities. This guidance represents what is currently considered by the Licensing Service to be good practice. Licensing Service inspectors may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice. Issues other than those listed below may be considered essential for reasons other than safety, or satisfying the Licensing Regulations. However, from the Licensing Service’s perspective, in order to ensure safety, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is necessary that the course content includes, amongst other things:
3. Organisational structure
4. Course content and standards
5. Syllabus content
1. Many of the courses available are offered at a local level by bike shops as a follow–up to selling a bike. Others are offered by local authorities as part of their encouragement of cycling as a transport alternative or in support of health initiatives. The ones that are aimed at the “professional” mechanic or fleet operator are generally offered by the national training agencies. Confusingly the delivery of some of these may be contracted out to the local bike shops or colleges under franchise. Many of these "local" courses offer a “certificate” on completion, although we suspect that most of these would merely be attendance certificates and of limited value as evidence of their mechanical competence.
2. Courses on offer appear to fall roughly into 3 categories:
3. Those courses in the first two categories are appropriate for the bike owner or the biking enthusiast while those in the third are the ones that we would suggest as appropriate for anyone in charge of the maintenance/repair of fleets of bikes in outdoor centres.
4. A list of known local and national courses is maintained by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service and can be obtained from them on request.
5. The list of local and national courses is not comprehensive but may help as a starting point for any research. As AALS don’t have any detailed knowledge on most of these courses, they are unable to comment on what type of training they offer or the suitability of that training. Activity providers are therefore recommended to get details on what is on offer before making any decision about using any particular course provider.
| Association of British Cycling Coaches 19 Forbes Avenue Beverley High Road HULL HU6 7AJ Tel: 01482 857774 Email: jim@jsampson.karoo.co.uk Web: www.abcc.co.uk |
British Cycling National Cycling Centre Stuart Street Manchester M11 4DQ Tel: 08708 712000 Email: info@britishcycling.org.uk |
| British Off-road Biking 15 Emsley Avenue Cudworth Barnsley South Yorkshire S72 8HY Tel: 01226 713787 Email: bob@britishoffroadbiking.co.uk |
British Schools Cycling Association 21 Bedhampton Road North End Portsmouth PO2 7JX Tel: 023 92642226 Email: secretary@bsca.org.uk Web: www.bsca.org.uk |
| Cyclists Touring Club Parklands Railton Road Guildford Surrey GU2 9JX Tel: 0844 736 8450 Email: cycling@ctc.org.uk Web: www.ctc.org.uk |
Mountain-Bike Instructors' Award Scheme And Welsh Mountain Bike Leaders Award 258 Highfield Road Birmingham B28 0DP Tel: 07721 628114 Email: mias@bikerider.co.uk or: mias_uk@hotmail.com |
| Northern IrelandCycling Federation c/o 10 Cairndore Avenue Newtownards County Down BT23 8RF Email: info@otc.org.uk |
OTC Training Ltd PO Box 1506 Sheffield S6 3XN Tel: 0870 443 0246 Email: info@otc.org.uk Web: www.mountainbikecourses.com |
| SMBLA The Velodrome Meadow Bank Stadium London Road Edinburgh EH7 6AD Tel: 0131 652 0187 Email: info@scottishcycling.com |
Welsh Cycling Wales National Velodrome Wales International Sports Village Newport NP19 4RA Tel: 01633 670540 Email: info@welshcyling.co.uk |
