Cycling UK Forum

This one came in through the forum admin email address.

I don't even know who to refer it on to in Cycling UK. Can you help ?

Name: Laura Mitchell
E-mail address: laura.mitchell@medway.gov.uk
IP Address: 195.138.195.224


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Hi,

My name is Laura and I coordinate cycle routes for Medway council.

I have a future cycle leader with us who has completed the group leader
training with you. Does he need to take out his own insurance or is he
automatically insured as he has completed the course?

Also, does he receive a certificate from you to confirm that he's
qualified?

Thanks for your help.

Laura

Well, there's a coincidence.

I was involved with a Sustrans backed Dr Bike at the Medway Big Ride over the weekend and one of Laura's colleagues helped us, also promoting the Council's own Health Walks and Rides. She has been in contact with me since, although the matters are not directly related.

The rides are organised under the "A Better Medway" / "Active Medway" banner. A previous contact at the Council, Hazel who retired last year informed me that the cycling side was in partnership with CTC, who refused to allow helmet compulsion. I have never found a mention of the scheme in CTC annual reports or anywhere on the CTC website. The rides are very gentle and aimed at new/infrequent/returning adult cyclists, often referred by GPs due to health issues. Shortest rides are around 3 miles without hills over a one hour period, longest around 11 miles.

My understanding is that the majority (all?) of their regular ride leaders are trained by British Cycling (Sky Ride Leader?). Sustrans ride leading requirements are either their own in house scheme, CTC Ride Manager, MIAS Level 1 or British Cycling Sky Ride Leader. I doubt that the generic CTC ride leader course will be sufficient qualification for Medway, but if there is a CTC connection with what they are doing I may be wrong.

Historically they have always offered free British Cycling ride leader training, in return for a commitment to lead rides (one a month for 12 months?).

I would suggest referring to Tejesh Mistry at Cycling UK.

Edit: Related thread from which I inferred TM to be a likely contact re the CTC Group Ride Leader courses.

Edit 2: Policy change, now mandatory helmets. I've told them I have no further interest in the group.

Thanks Gaz, I have forwarded her email to Tejesh Mistry.

Graham wrote:Thanks Gaz, I have forwarded her email to Tejesh Mistry.

Would you please let me know the outcome, either here or via PM.
Thanks

Hello PH,

I have forwarded the ladies incoming email to Tejesh.
I'm expecting that any comms are direct between them : not expecting to be further involved.

Best contact : Tejesh.Mistry@cyclinguk.org