Certifications
The Bike Instructor Certification Program (BICP) offers professional training and certification for individuals who lead group rides and/or teach mountain bike skills camps and clinics.
The Course Curriculum was built on proven successful methods for over two decades in development and was created to establish a standard for mountain bike skills instructor training.
BICP courses are offered globally year-round from our 25+ Instructor Trainers around the USA, Canada, and Europe. The BICP program offers a ride leader certification and three levels of skills instructor certifications, skill prep courses, and a continued education curriculum.
Ride Leader
The BICP Ride Leader online course was developed to introduce the basics of mountain bike ride leading to volunteers and/or people working as Ride Leaders for mountain biking clubs or mountain biking businesses.
The course is not a skills clinic – participants must already have a solid understanding of mountain biking, based on their own personal riding experience.
The Ride Leader course provides direction on how to lead beginner rides confidently and builds the ability to spot and correct basic bike skills to cater to the safety of the group.
Level 1
Fundamental Skills Instructor
An online self-study course followed by a 4-day in-person course that certifies an individual as a Fundamental Skills Instructor.
There are many aspects to teaching mountain biking: planning and preparation, risk management, clear communication with students, managing a group of riders, and being fully confident in your own understanding and demonstration of the Fundamental Elements. With the solid foundation covered in the Ride Leader course, you are ready to focus on developing your skills instruction. The skills portion of this course takes you through 19 different skills.
Each student will be tested on their ability to demonstrate, teach, and provide feedback through error detection and corrections.
In order to pass the BICP Level 1 course, participants must demonstrate an understanding of the material, perform a suitable teaching simulation, and pass a written test.
Level 2
Intermediate Skills Instructor
An online self-study course, followed by a 3-day in-person course that certifies an individual as an Intermediate Skills Instructor.
With the solid foundation covered in the Ride Leader and Level 1 Fundamental Skills Instructor course, you are ready to focus on developing your skills instruction. The skills portion of this course will add an additional 10 skills to your toolbox.
Each move is broken down into basic steps including follow-through and safety notes. Much of this course focuses on error detection and correction, working with you to improve your observation and how to effectively communicate errors in the riders being taught.
Each student will be tested on their ability to demonstrate, teach, and provide feedback through error detection and corrections.
In order to pass the BICP Level 2 course, participants must demonstrate an understanding of the material, perform a suitable teaching simulation, and pass a written test.3
Level 3
Advanced Skills Instructor
An online self-study course, followed by a 4-day course that certifies an individual as an Advanced Skills Instructor.
Instructors will take their experiences from teaching Level 1 and 2 skills and expand on their demonstrations, skills analysis, and progressions, strategies, and methods to enhance high-quality, reputable instructors.
The Level 3 course requires an expert level of personal riding ability. All pre-requisites for this course will be strictly enforced with no exceptions.
Each student will be tested on their ability to demonstrate, teach, and provide feedback through error detection and corrections.
In order to pass the BICP Level 3 course, participants must demonstrate an understanding of the material, perform a suitable teaching simulation, and pass a written test.
Recertification Courses
All BICP instructors are required to re-certify in person every four years.
All recertifications require the participants to take the full 5-day course. To recertify please find a course that meets your schedule and contact the BICP administration for your discounted rate.
Recertification is essential for maintaining a level of quality and standards among all BICP-certified instructors. BICP protocols such as recertification make this a leading training program that provides maximal credential value to instructors. Stay current with BICP training methods and maintain your esteemed certification.
Be sure to pay attention to any new material, specific keywords, and skill progressions. You may be asked to demonstrate teaching proficiency in any of the skills presented in the manuals.
As of January 2020, we have made significant changes to the curriculum. We are continually improving and updating our certification standards to play a global role in advanving the standard of mountain bike instruction.
Each student will be tested on their ability to demonstrate, teach, and provide feedback through error detection and corrections.
In order to pass the courses, participants must demonstrate an understanding of the material, perform a suitable teaching simulation, and pass a written test.
