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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DateFri 5th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Go! Youth Trust (Private) Cliff Smith | LocationDawson Community Church 693 Carron Road, Falkirk | Local AuthorityFalkirk | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 0 | FREE | Add to Waiting List |
DateMon 8th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Angus Cycling Hub (Private) Cliff Smith | LocationDundee Cycle Hub Waterfront Place, Riverside Esplanade, Dundee | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 5 | FREE | Book |
DateMon 8th Apr 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 8 | £75 P/P | Book |
DateThu 11th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorRipple (Private) Sam Moody | LocationThe Ripple Project 198 Restalrig Road South, Edinburgh | Local AuthorityEdinburgh City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 3 | FREE | Book |
DateSat 13th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Kintyre Recycling (Private) Sam Moody | LocationKintyre Recycling Ltd Workshop 2, Hazelburn Business Park, Campbeltown | Local AuthorityArgyll & Bute | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 1 | FREE | Book |
DateThu 18th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Woodland Community (Private) Sam Moody | LocationWoodlands Community Glasgow 66 Ashley Street, Glasgow | Local AuthorityGlasgow City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 3 | FREE | Book |
DateSat 20th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Active Schools Edinburgh (Private) Sam Moody | LocationFirhill High School Sports Centre 9 Oxgangs Rd N, Edinburgh | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 5 | FREE | Book |
DateTue 30th Apr 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Benbecula (Private) Bill Ross | LocationBalivanich Primary School Balivanich Primary School, Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula | Local AuthorityWestern Isles | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 7 | FREE | Book |
DateFri 3rd May 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Inclusion and Wellbeing Service Falkirk (Private) Kevin Barclay | LocationInclusion & Wellbeing Service, Bog Road, Laurieston, FK2 9PB | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 3 | FREE | Book |
DateSat 4th May 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - The Embark Project Volunteering Hebrides (Private) Neil Daly | LocationVolunteering Hebrides, 30 Francis Street, Stornoway | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 7 | FREE | Book |
DateWed 8th May 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Live Active Perth (Private) Sam Moody | LocationBells Sport Centre | Local Authority | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 4 | FREE | Book |
DateThu 16th May 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Outfit Moray (Private) Cliff Smith | LocationMoray Sports Centre Linkwood Road, Elgin | Local AuthorityMoray | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book |
DateWed 3rd Jul 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL YoMo (Private) Joshua Wood | LocationThe Base 127 Glenavon Road, Glasgow | Local AuthorityGlasgow City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book |
DateMon 12th Aug 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Outfit Moray (Private) Bill Ross | LocationMoray Sports Centre Linkwood Road, Elgin | Local AuthorityMoray | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book |
DateTue 12th Nov 2024 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL - Outfit Moray (Private) Keith Stocker | LocationMoray Sports Centre Linkwood Road, Elgin | Local AuthorityMoray | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book |
DateThu 25th Sep 2025 | Course TypeCycle Ride Leader & Assistant Cycle Ride Leader | Course Title & InstructorCRL YoMo (Private) Joshua Wood | LocationThe Base 127 Glenavon Road, Glasgow | Local AuthorityGlasgow City | CapacityCapacity 8 Places Left 8 | FREE | Book |