Ride Leader Training

Bikeworks Ride Leader Training equips you to confidently plan and lead community group rides on road and traffic-free routes.

Confident leaders make group cycling possible.

In just three hours, you will gain the structure, practical tools and reassurance needed to step into a ride leader role. The course draws on 20 years of community riding across London and the experience gained from delivering more than 50,000 cycling experiences every year.

Whether you are starting rides in your own community, building ride leadership capacity within a group or organisation, or developing experience before progressing to Bikeability Instructor training, this course provides a strong and credible foundation.

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Plan and prepare a group ride from start to finish
• Lead riders with different confidence and ability levels
• Manage pace and positioning so everyone rides as part of the group
• Guide riders clearly on road and traffic-free routes
• Give clear pre-ride briefings and guidance during the ride
• Make sensible decisions if plans need to change
• Create group rides that feel organised, welcoming and enjoyable

Ride Leader Training is designed for riders who are already confident at a Level 2 Bikeability standard.

If you are not yet riding at this level, we can support you to build up to it. We offer:

• Level 1 one-to-one (2 hours)
• Level 2 one-to-one (2 hours)
• Level 1 and Level 2 group Cycle Skills sessions

These sessions allow you to build the confidence and road skills needed before booking onto Ride Leader Training.

A rider at Level 2 is confident cycling on the road and able to:

• Start and stop confidently
• Signal clearly and check behind without losing balance
• Hold an appropriate road position
• Ride alongside others comfortably and confidently
• Navigate common junctions and road layouts

If you are unsure whether this describes you, we recommend booking a one-to-one Bikeability session first to strengthen your road skills before stepping into a leadership role.

Ride Leader Training is designed for:

• Community volunteers developing local cycling groups
• Individuals building experience before progressing to Bikeability Instructor training
• Grassroots organisations strengthening ride leadership capacity
• Confident riders who want to take the next step into leading others

This course reflects Bikeworks’ inclusive community practice. We work with riders across a wide range of confidence and ability levels, and our training prepares leaders to do the same.

Bikeworks is a community-evolved social enterprise approaching 20 years of inclusive cycling. We believe everyone should have access to cycling, and that belief shapes how we train ride leaders.

Each year we deliver more than 50,000 cycling experiences across London through cycle training, inclusive clubs and community programmes. Ride Leader Training is shaped by that day-to-day practice.

We work with people of different ages, backgrounds and riding experience. Our approach prepares you to lead in the same way — aware of mixed confidence, attentive to group dynamics and able to create rides that feel welcoming, purposeful and enjoyable.

For those considering Bikeability Instructor training in the future, this course provides a grounded and practical foundation. For others, it’s the first step in creating something positive in your own community.

“I’d always enjoyed cycling but wasn’t sure how to lead others. The course broke it down in a really practical way. I’ve since started a regular group ride with friends in my local area and feel confident planning routes and keeping everyone together.”
— Community Ride Leader

“We wanted to build confidence within our team to lead regular group rides. The training was practical and easy to follow. We left feeling ready and excited to get started.”
— Programme Lead, London-based organisation

Duration
3 hours

Group size
Up to 8 participants

Delivery
Delivered by two qualified instructors.

We offer:

• Private bookings for community groups and organisations
• Four open courses per year for individuals, delivered at our East and West London training hubs

Cost
£500 (+VAT) if you book a whole course

If you are interested in Ride Leader Training, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss your starting point and what you would like to achieve.

We will guide you towards the right option, whether that is Ride Leader Training or one-to-one Bikeability.

Email: cycletraining@bikeworks.org.uk
Phone: 020 8980 7998