Membership FAQ
Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding British Cycling membership.
How do I become a 'British Cycling' member?
- Download a membership form and send it with a cheque made payable to "British Cycling Federation" to: Membership Services, British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ
- Join over the phone on 0161 274 2010
How much does it cost?
There are three levels of membership - Gold, Silver and Bronze - each with different prices for Seniors, Families, Life, Juniors, Youth and Under 12s. For full details:
What benefits can I expect from being a Bronze member of British Cycling?
Membership card; provisional racing licence, allowing you to race in all Go-Race events; FOC discounts with a range of affinity benefits, including the AA, Fitness First, Chillivideo, Carphone Warehouse; access to a network of coaches and cycling development officers; access to training and competition advice.
What benefits can I expect from being a Silver member?
All benefits included under Bronze membership with the following additions: Third party public liability insurance (with an indemnity limit of £10 million and NO EXCESS); legal advice and support; access to a full racing licence; professional indemnity insurance and regular newsletter for all registered coaches and activity leaders; entry into all regional C/C+ and Go-race events at no extra cost (no ranking points available though).
What benefits can I expect from being a Gold member?
All benefits included under Bronze and Silver membership with the following additions: Personal Accident Insurance for incidents occurring whilst cycling in the UK at any time; access to a full racing licence; four free issues of the quarterly Racing Calendar magazine.
I'm a Gold member. What does my Personal Accident Insurance cover me for?
GOLD members are covered for ALL cycling at ANY time in the UK, including direct travel to and from any venue for the purposes of participating in an event organised by/or under the auspices of British Cycling. Benefits include: £50,000 cover for permanent total disability; total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one or both eyes; loss of one or both limbs; total and permanent loss of hearing in both ears; total and permanent loss of speech; £7,500 death benefit (£5,000 for U/16s and members aged 70-75); hospital cash benefit of £25 for each complete 24-hr period up to a maximum of £750. Conditions do apply. Full details
How long will it take for my membership/licence application to be processed?
We ask that you allow 10 days for standard applications.
What is a racing licence and do I need one?
Most competitive cycling events at regional, national and international level require the rider to hold a full British Cycling racing licence.
A racing licence can only be purchased by a Silver or Gold member and you need the licence to be able to score points on the British Cycling ranking system. A provisional racing licence will be given to you when you join, enabling you to take part in some entry level cycling events.
The racing license is attached to your membership card (see below) and requires you to add a passport sized photograph to the licence before putting it in the self-seal wallet provided.
I have received my membership card and it shows a 'valid to' a date in 2009, but on the reverse the Racing Licence is only valid to the end of 2008. Why is this?
You get 12 full months of membership from the day you join British Cycling. Racing Licences, however, are based on the calendar year and expire on 31st December of the year you purchase them. The world governing body for cycling, the UCI, dictates that we must issue licences in this way and it helps to reduce problems with licence renewals during the busy summer months of racing.
Irrespective of the date that your membership is valid to, you will always need to renew your membership at the same time that you purchase a licence, as it is a requirement that you hold a valid membership with insurance (Gold or Silver) for the entire period for which your licence is valid.
All riders aged under 16 are entitled to a licence free of charge when their membership is purchased.
I am a club member but haven't yet received my racing licence?
All full racing licences for members who are affiliated to a club are automatically sent to the club secretary. Speak to your club secretary in the first instance. Subsequently, you can speak to our membership services team on 0161 274 2010.
I've changed my address, what do I need to do?
Contact membership services on 0161 274 2010 or email membership@britishcycling.org.uk.
I have lost my membership/licence card, how can I get a replacement?
Either send a cheque for £3 to membership services, stating you require a replacement or give us a call on 0161 274 2010 and pay £4 by CC/debit card. The same procedure applies if you change team and require a new licence.
Is my bike covered under the membership? (e.g. if it's stolen)
No you will need to take out additional bike insurance. We can advise you on where to find the best cover. More here >>>
How do I subscribe to the emailed newsletter?
Email newsletter@britishcycling.org.uk or log onto your personal home-page and select 'newsletter'.
I am interested in joining a local cycling club, but I don't know of any in my area?
If you are Under 18 then look out for our Go-Ride clubs, which are especially geared towards activities for young people. For everyone over 18, a list of all affiliated British Cycling cycling clubs can be found in our club section on the website. Go to Club Finder and search for a club by region and or cycling discipline/s. There's also a Go-Ride club finder button.
I've just set up a cycling club. How do I affiliate to British Cycling and how much does it cost?
Contact membership services on 0161 274 2010 who will send you all the necessary information and forms to complete.
Clubs and associations pay an annual affiliation fee and in return receive the benefit of insurance for club activities (see Legal and Insurance section for details), support programmes, membership promotions, training for club officials and access to grass roots development through Go-Ride's network of school and club coaches.
I am a club secretary, and need more information on the 'free Bronze' membership offer for clubs?
Clubs may give up to 100 free Bronze memberships to club members who are not current British Cycling members and have not been members in the last 2 years. Forms are sent periodically to the club secretary for this purpose. If the new member is under 16, the free membership will be awarded at Silver level.
Rather than take a free Bronze membership, club members may instead opt to have the value of a Bronze membership discounted from either a Silver or Gold Membership. This discount can also be applied to a Family membership.
All registered/accredited Go-Ride clubs are entitled to 100 free memberships. All clubs that will promote at least one event in 2006 (and have paid the appropriate registration fee to British Cycling) are entitled to 40 free memberships. All other affiliated clubs/teams are entitled to 20 free memberships.
Who gets the free memberships is entirely up to the club. Why not make them part of a member recruitment drive? Using the Silver package for Under-Sixteens, you could target the sport's next generation!
