The Cycle Ride Leader award provides an introduction to leading groups on risk assessed and organised bike rides during daylight hours. It enables leaders to plan and organise rides within an organisation, community group or club.
You must have recent experience riding a bike, and feel ready to assume responsibility for a group on a bike ride. Candidates must ride confidently on roads with traffic for up to 2 hours, be able to cycle up moderate hills, and off road surfaces such as canal paths and be able to mend a puncture or replace a damaged inner tube.
What if I’m under 18 years old?
If you are aged 16-17 you won’t be qualified to lead rides by yourself, but will be allowed to assist adult Cycle Ride Leaders, and may be able to upgrade your qualification when you turn 18. Please note that places for 16-17 year-olds must be agreed in advance, as there are restrictions on the number who can attend each CRL course. Contact training@cycling.scot for further information.
This is a one-day course, which usually lasts eight hours.
You will need a roadworthy bike and clothing appropriate for the weather. You will also need to bring lunch/snacks unless the organiser is providing these.
It would be helpful if you have some idea of the types of rides you’ll be leading after the course, and your target audience.
If you are part of a group or organisation, for £500 you can book your own bespoke course, for a group of 5-8 people, at your own venue, on a date that suits you.
For an individual, the cost of this course can vary, depending on the venue/organiser, but it is usually between £50-80 per person.
We may be able to advise you about funding that can be used for this kind of training.
You might want to complete a Cycle Trainer course to become a National Standard cycle training instructor.
It is recommended that Cycle Ride Leaders hold a valid first aid certificate and appropriate insurance.
This course provides a useful introduction to cycling leadership. It is not a substitute for established off-road/mountain bike leadership qualifications. Scottish Cycling and Cycling UK offer mountain bike leadership courses if this is something that interests you.
Date | Course Type | Course Title & Instructor | Location | Local Authority | Capacity & Availability | £ Cost | Book |
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DateThu 14th Dec 2023 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorThe Ripple (Private) Sam Moody | LocationThe Ripple Project 198 Restalrig Road South, Edinburgh | Local AuthorityEdinburgh City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateMon 15th Jan 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - The Walled Garden - Perth (Private) Neil Daly | LocationThe Walled Garden Muirhall Road, Perth | Local AuthorityPerth & Kinross | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 5 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateSun 11th Feb 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustainable Transport St Andrews (Private) Neil Daly | LocationThe Old Burgh School St Andrews | Local AuthorityFife | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 23rd Feb 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustrans Edinburgh (Private) Lynne Hogg | LocationSustrans Edinburgh Office 1 Exchange Crescent | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 1st Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorEast Lothian Outdoor Learning Service (Private) Philippa Barber | LocationEast Lothian Council Outdoor Learning Service Musselburgh Racecourse Complex, Balcarres Road, Musselburgh | Local AuthorityEast Lothian | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 7 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 1st Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustrans Perth (Private) Neil Daly | LocationDewars Centre Dewars Business, Events & Sports | Local AuthorityPerth & Kinross | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateMon 4th Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCycle Ride Leader - Bike for Good (Private) Joshua Wood | LocationBike for Good - Glasgow West 65 Haugh Road, Glasgow | Local AuthorityGlasgow City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 8th Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustrans Fort William (Private) Tom Oxtoby | LocationVoluntary Action Lochaber Claggan, Fort William | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 8th Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustrans Dumfries (Private) Joshua Wood | LocationThe Bridge Glasgow Road, Dumfries | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateFri 15th Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Sustrans Blackburn (Private) Lynne Hogg | LocationBlackburn Partnership Centre Ash Grove, Blackburn | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |
DateSat 16th Mar 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCycle Ride Leader -Ayr (Private) Joshua Wood | LocationAyr Academy University Avenue, Ayr | Local AuthoritySouth Ayrshire | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book![]() |