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Scope of the Scheme

The Mountain bike Instructors’ Award Scheme offers the opportunity to gain competence in leading cyclists in both on and off road environments.

Completion of training course alone, without taking assessment course, is not a qualification in itself, although it may be considered benefit to the trainee.

There are six different levels of training and instruction:

1. Level One - Basic Skills - allowing access into low-level terrain, with little potential hazards i.e country parks, canal towpaths and non-wilderness areas where help is almost immediately accessible.

2 Level Two -  Intermediate Skills - allowing access into wild country, with the potential hazards that surround such terrain. Candidates must be in possession of BEL  Award or equivalent, such as Walking Group leader Award (WGL), (APL). For low level rides on Bridleways below 600 metres in wilderness areas.

3. Level Three - Advanced Skills - allowing access into Mountainous Terrain and the potential hazards that surround such an environment. Must have ML Award, WGL (appropriate Level applies), or equivalent. This level covers areas as defined as mountainous by the MLTB, on substantial tracks.

4. Level Four - Trainer Assessor - allowing training for Level 1 and Level 2 and the ability to assess Level 1.

5. Level  Five - Trainer Assessor - allowing training for Level 1 and Level 2 and the ability to assess Level 2.

6. Level Six - Trainer Assessor - allowing training to Level 3 and the ability to assess Level 3.

NCFE MODULES

Instructor Levels 1-3

1. Knowledge and understanding of health and safety policies

2. Understand and implement risk assessment processes  
3. Knowledge and understanding of group management
4. Knowledge and understanding of group safety
5. Knowledge and understanding of cycle maintenance
6. Understand and implement route planning
7. Understand and demonstrate riding techniques
8. Knowledge and understanding of legal considerations
9. Knowledge and understanding of navigating on a cycle
10. Knowledge and understanding of access and conservation  
11. Plan, run and evaluate a session
12. Knowledge and understanding of weather conditions     
13. Understanding of child protection polices     
14. Understanding and implementation of equality     
15. Understanding of consent and medical information     
16. Understanding and implementation of MIAS policies     
17. Written and practical examination

Trainer/Assessor Level 4-6

1. Advanced Knowledge and understanding of health and safety policies

2. Advanced understanding and implementation of risk assessment processes  
3. Advanced knowledge and understanding of group management
4. Advanced knowledge and understanding of group safety
5. Advanced knowledge and understanding of cycle maintenance
6. Advanced understanding and implementation of route planning
7. Advanced understanding and demonstration of riding techniques
8. Advanced knowledge and understanding of legal considerations
9. Advanced knowledge and understanding of navigating on a cycle
10. Advanced knowledge and understanding of access and conservation  
11. Advanced knowledge to plan, run and evaluate a session
12. Advanced knowledge and understanding of weather conditions     
13. Advanced understanding of child protection polices     
14. Understanding and implementation of equality     
15. Understanding of consent and medical information     
16. Advanced understanding and implementation of MIAS policies     
17. Written and practical exam     
18. Understanding training processes (teaching & evaluating)     
19. Understanding assessment processes     
20. Completion of research paper     
21. Completion of assignment

Syllabus

• Group Management.
• Responsibilities  of the Group Leader.
• Navigation.
• Access and Conservation.
• General Skills.
• Technical Skills.
• Personal Equipment.
• Group Equipment.
• Weather.
• Additional Interests.