Cycle Instructor Training

1st4sport Level 2 Award: the essential qualification for aspiring cycling instructors

Student Cycling Instructor looking over their shoulder preparing to cycle.
Where
Bristol
Multiple locations
When

Regular courses

Price

From £100

About the course

The 1st4sport Level 2 Award in Instructing Cycle Training covers the theory and practice of teaching people to ride safely on the road, through a mixture of online, classroom-based and practical lessons. The training comprises pre-course online work that you complete in your own time, followed by three days of practical training.

Skills and competencies

Our four-day course was developed by the Bikeability Trust and 1st4sport and covers essential topics such as:

  • Cycle Training Instructor roles and responsibilities
  • Effective teaching techniques  
  • Learning styles  
  • Safeguarding
  • Risk assessments
  • Session planning

Book a course

Please contact us for bookings and enquiries.

Upcoming dates:

  • 14th - 16th October 2024
  • 10th - 12th February 2025
  • 31st March - 2nd April 2025

Further information

Who can do this training?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to teach adults and children to cycle competently on the road. You might be employed by a local authority, cycle training organisation - or set up your own business as a freelance cycle instructor.

Entry requirements

To take this course, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Have proof of identification.
  • Communicate effectively in English (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
  • Cycle competently, confidently and consistently to Bikeability Level 3 standard.
  • Be ready to start work as a cycle instructor*

*For example, have an offer of employment or starting your own business.

Funding support

The Bikeability Trust provides a £800 bursary towards the cost of the qualification. Contact us to find out more.

Booking for your employees?

If you'd like to book a course for your employees, please contact us and we'd be happy to help.

More info and FAQs

More questions? Check below for more information.

Where is it taught?

The course is taught in Bristol. We can travel to some locations, depending on how far you are from Bristol, we require a minimum of three learners. Contact us to find out more.

Assessment & qualification

Your tutor will check your pre-course online work and will observe you over the three days of practical training to assess your understanding and teaching skills. Once you’ve successfully completed these activities, you’ll gain your provisional qualification. You’ll then be able to deliver Bikeability training.

Post course assessment

Once you complete your coursework and gain your provisional qualification, you’ll be able to work as a cycle instructor. However, to become fully qualified there is a bit more to do after the course:  

  1. Deliver a minimum of approx. 40 hours of Bikeability training to the public and/or in schools.
  2. Complete additional development tasks in your online portfolio.
  3. Complete a post course assessment (a practical observation in the field).  

Most instructors become fully qualified in around six months.  

What's covered in the price?

As well as covering the cost of the course, the fee covers:  

  • Your registration fee with 1st4sport.  
  • Tutor support before, during and after the course.  
  • One post course assessment visit.  
  • Final certification.  

The Bikeability Trust bursary covers most of this for eligible learners. The £100 upfront fee is non-refundable.

How is this course accredited?

Our tutors teach to the official standards set by the Department for Transport. This course was developed by the Bikeability Trust and is accredited by 1st4Sport, the awarding body.

Cancellations and refunds

To find out about our cancellation and refund policies, read our full terms and conditions.

What others say

"The course was excellent, I was quite daunted at the start but the progressive nature of the training meant that I quickly became more confident; it has prepared me well to deliver bikeability".

Elizabeth

Meet the tutors

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Cytech courses

The internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians

A young woman in glasses fixing back wheel of a bike at the Life Cycle Hub.

About Cytech

Cytech delivers training and promotion of technical skills to the cycle trade and enthusiasts worldwide. Developed for the cycle industry over 30 years ago by the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), Cytech courses have empowered technicians to keep pace with rapid technological advances and evolving customer needs.

The Cytech journey is a comprehensive range of technical courses designed to take even the most inexperienced mechanic and mold them into a master professional cycle technician.

Having built our reputation delivering quality bicycle mechanics training for almost a decade, our courses combine expert tuition from experienced trainers with great facilities and a supportive learning environment. Browse our courses below.

Technical one - practical

Technical one is a practical course that will see candidates able to work safely and efficiently in the workshop environment. Technicians qualified to this level can build new bikes to a high standard.

There are two parts to Cytech Technical one. Both need to be completed to receive the full Technical one qualification:

  • Cytech Theory one
  • Cytech Technical one practical

Learn more about Technical one.

Course length: Two days (practical only)

Price: £450

Book Tech one (practical)
Cytech tutor showing a student how to adjust break cables on a bike.

Technical two

Technical two is the industry standard for professional cycle technicians worldwide. Technicians qualified to this level can build, service and repair most types of bicycle and have a firm understanding of the basic engineering principles under which all bicycle components work. Learn more about Technical two.

Course length: Eight days

Price: £1,500

Book Tech two
Cytech tutor showing a student how to build a bike wheel.

Home Mechanic

The Cytech Home Mechanic course is designed to give the enthusiast a good level of mechanical ability covering a comprehensive range of cycle maintenance areas.

This course will give you the confidence to carry out repairs and servicing whilst also learning when a task should be carried out by a more experienced technician. Learn more about Home Mechanic.

Course length: Two days

Price: £299

Book Home Mechanic
A young woman in glasses fixing back wheel of a bike at the Life Cycle Hub.

Theory one

Theory one is your first step toward becoming a fully qualified cycle technician. Suitable for all cycle trade employees, Theory one consists of an interactive online distance learning course, providing a strong foundation for candidates to build their career.

The course can be completed in your own time, at home or at work on a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone. You have two months to complete the course. Learn more about Theory one.

Course length: Between three - nine hours

Price: £150

Enquire now
A smiling woman posing with a bike she's learnt how to fix at Life Cycle Hub.

Technical three

Coming soon! Technical three represents the pinnacle of technical proficiency. This level can be attained only by experienced cycle technicians with a full understanding of the advanced engineering behind high-end, performance cycles.

Technical three is taught on a modular basis. Technicians who are qualified to this level can install and calibrate top-level electronic groupsets, service complex suspension systems and hydraulic brakes; and build high-performance, lightweight and robust wheelsets which are specific to purpose. Learn more about Technical three.

Enquire now
Male and female mechanics examining a bike together at the Life Cycle Hub.

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