What is an accredited marshal?

An accredited marshal is a road cycling marshal who has been trained to use the 'Stop! Cycle Race' sign to legally stop and hold traffic to allow the safe passage of a cycle race. It is an offence for a driver to fail to stop.

The 'Stop! Cycle Race' sign was approved for use and implemented by the Department for Transport in 2013 and was included in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. 

Why are accredited marshals important for road racing?

The sport of cycling is booming in Britain, but despite this, the difficulty in staging road races on Britain’s roads is restricting future development of the sport. Accredited marshals are playing a huge role in securing the future of road racing in this country by making road races safer for everyone involved; riders, the race convoy and other road users.

Why get involved?

By volunteering as an accredited marshal you will be helping to make sure that these great events continue happening in your local community. You will also be supporting British Cycling to provide our next generation of cycling talent with the opportunity to race safely and regularly on Britain’s roads.

For more information and to register your interest, please contact the regional events officer for your region.

Overview of responsibilities

• Follow the race on race radio
• Use the sign to stop traffic
• Hold traffic to allow safe passage of the race convoy or ‘bubble’
• Release and thank traffic after the race has passed.

Benefits of being an accredited marshal

As a thank you for your time, support and hard work we give all accredited marshals free British Cycling Bronze membership. This membership which will give you exclusive benefits such as discounts at cycling stores, pre-sale and discounted tickets for major UK cycling events and a weekly newsletter with exclusive offers, news and top tips.

Expectations for the role

Each marshal is expected to commit to a minimum of five races per year. You need to complete your first five races in your first year in order to complete your training and qualify.  You will also need to complete five races a year once qualified in order to keep the accreditation.

British Cycling is now looking for volunteers to become accredited marshals at road cycling events across the country and help us to keep racing on the roads and make it safer for everyone involved.

What training will you get?

British Cycling will provide you with all the training you need to become an accredited marshal. To start with, you will be asked to complete an online learning module before attending a practical training session.

This session will be organised regionally and takes about four hours to complete. You will then be ready to start marshalling at races as a trainee; you will have a log-book which will be completed after each race as a record of the final phase of your training. You will be provided with a sign and high-vis jacket for each race.

Upon successful completion of your first five races, and the submission of your logbook, you will have completed your training and will be awarded your certificate. You will also receive specific British Cycling accredited marshal clothing free of charge; this includes an accredited marshal polo shirt and a waterproof jacket.

This training is accredited through LANTRA, who are the UK’s Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries; they specialise in nationally recognised, accredited training and qualifications.

How to register interest and get involved?

For more information and to register your interest in volunteering please contact the regional events officer for your region.

Contact us

In the first instance please contact your regional events officer

You can also contact us at:

Officials Education, British Cycling, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ

accreditedmarchal@britishcycling.org.uk

0161 274 2026