If you were offering guiding in the UK what qualifications, insurance would you need? Are there regulations covering this? Are there people who do it currently?

Hi

If you are guiding groups of under 18 over 600 metres in altitude or more than 30 mins walk fom a road you must be registered with the AALS. Otherwise there are no regulations.

That said, a Mountain Bike Leader qualification from a reputable provider, would give you additional knowledge / coaching skills etc. that are required for leading / coaching groups which should therefore greatly minimise the chance of neglegence, as you have of course a duty of care for your group or individual.

The following link may help –

http://www.mountainbikeinstruction.co.uk/cswhy.asp?session=43800101029031231939671220721

Ray Mazey

Add to the list child protection checks.
Disclosure Scotland for up here and whatever the equivelant is for England.

google
MIAS
SMBLA
CTC

The daft situation we are in (imo) is that there are regulations as in Rays link but no regulatory body regulating/auditing the providors ❗ afik

BC are belatedly getting in the act by providing an mtb add on to their Lev 2 coaches award, being delivered by; Cyclewise

Thanks for that.

It might be tricky getting insurance without any qualification, even though qualification may not be a legal requirement in order to take groups out.

By far the cheapest way for me to get insured was through the CTC on their activity provider, group cover. They insisted on a minimum amount of guide training.

1st aider
Trail cycle leader qual from SMBA
Throw in some insurance and away you go.

By far the cheapest way for me to get insured was through the CTC on their activity provider, group cover. They insisted on a minimum amount of guide training.

Insurance is also included with Silver or better membership of British Cycling (which you'll already have if you're doing an SMBLA course). It's not expensive (can't remember how much, it's on the BC website).