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Cycling coach

Alternative titles for this job include Cycling instructor

Cycling coaches help riders develop their cycling skills.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a cycling coach

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • getting specialist training from an industry body

University

There is no set entry route to become a professional cycle coach but getting a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a sports-related subject like sports science could give you an advantage.

If you're a competitive cyclist, you could do a foundation degree in cycling performance or cycling studies.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by starting with an intermediate apprenticeship as a community activator coach.

This apprenticeship is recognised by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

You can develop your coaching skills through volunteering.

British Cycling has details on how you can get involved with your local club, coaching and cycling events. There are opportunities in road and track racing, BMX and mountain biking.

Other Routes

You can do training through a professional body like British Cycling, who offer qualifications in coaching. For example:

  • Level 1 Foundation Award in Coaching Cycling
  • Level 2 Certificate in Developing your Coaching
  • Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Cycling - for working with individual riders and planning detailed training programmes

Bursaries or grants may be available to help you train as a cycling coach.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a cycling coach and coaching qualifications from British Cycling and Cycling UK.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • the ability to teach and motivate learners
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

If you're working with younger riders in schools and community groups, you could:

  • plan fun, safe and engaging coaching activities
  • help riders to improve their riding technique
  • work with riders, schools, community groups and sports organisations to promote the sport

If you're working with riders involved in the competitive side of the sport, you could:

  • work on developing more advanced riding techniques and tactics
  • design training programmes
  • support riders at races and competitions
  • maintain records of rider performance
  • advise on how lifestyle choices can affect performance
  • mentor other coaches
  • work with experts like sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and programme managers
  • market and promote your coaching services, if you're self-employed

Working environment

You could work on a sports field, at a sports arena or at a race track.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work for British Cycling as a development coach, introducing people to cycling, or working on talent programmes to support cyclists.

You could work as a coach for a local authority or organisation with an interest in sports development at places like BMX tracks, mountain bike trail centres or indoor cycling tracks.

You could become a self-employed coach and design training programmes for amateur riders.

You could also become a cycle trainer through the Bikeability scheme, teaching young people how to cycle safety on roads. If you work with young people, you could move into sports development or youth work.

With experience, you could transfer your skills and abilities to other areas of the sports industry.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship - Level 2 - Barnsley College - Sports Village

  • Wage: £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: Barnsley

Climbing assistant apprentice

  • Wage: £7,800.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 2 Award in Group Indoor Cycling

  • Provider: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 28 May 2022
  • Location: Cambridge

Fitness Instructing Certificate

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 12 September 2022
  • Location: Oxford
Find courses near you

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