The cycling industry in the UK is experiencing an exciting surge,creating new opportunities for job seekers. From an uptick in everyday bike useto booming e-bike sales, cycling is on the rise as a mainstream mode oftransport and recreation. In fact, cycling already contributes around £5.4billion to the British economy and supports about 64,000 full-time jobs acrosstourism, retail, repair, manufacturing and more[1]. City data underscores this growth:Glasgow recorded 4.65 million cycling trips in the first eight months of 2025 –a 43% increase over the previous year[2]. As more people ride bikes, theindustry supplying those bikes, maintaining them, and promoting cyclingcontinues to expand. Whether you're a young person searching for a first job ora mid-life professional craving a career change, entry-level cycling jobs inthe UK span a wide spectrum of roles. This guide will walk you through thatspectrum – from hands-on mechanic apprenticeships to creative marketing roles –and show how you can turn your passion for bikes into a fulfilling career.
Choosing a career in cycling means joining a growing movement. The UKgovernment and local authorities are heavily investing in cyclinginfrastructure as part of green transport plans, and there’s a growingappetite for sustainable travel[2]. As cycling becomes more popular, businesses in the sector need freshtalent to keep up. New jobs are emerging not just in traditional bike shops,but in areas like e-commerce, events, and media. Importantly, these are jobsyou can feel good about – supporting an activity that improves health, protectsthe environment, and builds community. As Cycling UK notes, expanding cyclinghas a multiplier effect on employment: for example, if London’s cyclingrates rose to Copenhagen’s levels, it’s estimated nearly 47,000 additionalcycling-related jobs could be created[3]. In short, the cycling industry is a dynamic, values-driven fieldwith room for enthusiastic newcomers.
This industry hasn’t always been easy to break into – insiders admit itused to be “quite insular,” often hiring via personal networks[4]. But that culture is changing. More companies realize they need newcomersand diverse talent to thrive[4]. If you’ve found yourself wondering “how can I turn bikes into mycareer?”[4], now is the time to explore the possibilities. The beauty of cyclingis that it intersects with many skill sets: mechanical know-how,customer service, sales, logistics, digital content creation, and more. Youdon’t necessarily need years of bike-specific experience or fancyqualifications to get started – an eagerness to learn and a passion for cyclingcan take you a long way. (A few technical roles do require certification, likethe Cytech training for bike mechanics, but “for many, just showing you knowyour way around a bike in the workshop will be qualification enough”[5].) And if you’re coming from another career, chances are you have transferableskills that cycling employers value. Perhaps you’re a project manager,marketer, or accountant in another industry – imagine applying those skills ata bike company or cycling charity. Instead of “shuffling spreadsheets tosell paperclips,” you could be doing it to support bike sales or advocacy,which might bring a lot more satisfaction[6].
Below, we break down some of the main entry-level cycling job paths inthe UK. For each, we’ll give examples of real job titles (drawn from recentlistings) and tips on how to get started. Whether you prefer working with yourhands, helping customers, running events, or creating content, there’s an entrypoint for you in the cycling world.
If you love tinkering with bikes, a cycle mechanic role could beyour perfect start. Many bike shops and cycling organizations offerapprenticeship or trainee programs for mechanics. For example, the UK has adedicated Bicycle Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship thattakes 1–2 years and combines on-the-job training with study[7]. This is a common route for young people to gain a professionalqualification while working. Even without an official apprenticeship, you couldstart as a junior mechanic or workshop assistant at a local shop. In fact, somepeople get their foot in the door by first working the shop floor and thenmoving into the repair bench when an opening arises[8].
What does the job entail? As a trainee bikemechanic, you’ll learn to build, repair and service all kinds of bicycles –from basic commuter bikes to high-end mountain or road bikes. You might startwith simple tasks like fixing flat tires or assembling new bikes, graduallyadvancing to more complex repairs under a mentor’s guidance. Communication ispart of the job too: you’ll talk to customers about what's wrong with theirbike and explain repairs, so customer service skills help. The National CareersService notes that a good mechanic needs to be hands-on and detail-oriented,with problem-solving ability and a friendly approach[9][10].
Real job examples: Look at postings like “BicycleShop Apprentice – Full Time” in Oxford, where the apprentice works in abusy shop and “learns all aspects of the industry, repairing bikes [and]maintain[ing] a hire fleet”[13], but those are longer-term goals.)
Career-changer angle: It’s not just teenagersstarting out – mid-career folks are also becoming bike mechanics. A strikingexample is Nick Sharpe, a former communications director who left a high-flyingoffice job due to stress and reinvented himself as a mobile bike mechanic. “Itwas a constant terror... The commute was just cold sweat and panic,” hesaid of his old job, which led him to “step off the hamster wheel and intolife as a mobile cycle mechanic.”[14] His story shows that if you have a passion for fixing bikes, it’snever too late to make it your livelihood. Programs like adult retrainingcourses (e.g. Cytech qualifications) are open to all ages, and the demand forskilled bike mechanics – especially with the rise of e-bikes – is strong acrossthe UK. Many bike shops report being busier than ever with service requests,which means opportunity for newcomers.
Working in a bike shop is a classic entry point into the cyclingindustry. These retail roles are ideal if you enjoy interacting with fellowcyclists and sharing your enthusiasm for bikes and gear. Bike shop salesassistants (often just called sales associates or cycling advisors) helpcustomers choose the right bikes, accessories, and clothing, and often handlebasic bike setups. No prior experience is required for many of these roles –having a friendly, helpful attitude and some personal knowledge of bikes goes along way. You’ll pick up the rest through on-the-job training.
Day-to-day duties: In an entry-level shoprole, you might greet customers and answer questions, do bike fittings (makingsure a purchased bike is the correct size and adjusted), stock shelves with newproducts, and possibly ring up sales at the till. In smaller independent shops,staff often wear many hats – you might one moment be explaining the differencebetween two helmet models, and the next moment be helping in the workshop witha simple repair. Larger chain stores might have more specialized positions(sales floor separate from mechanics), but they too value versatile staff whocan eventually do both. Either way, you’ll be immersed in bike culturedaily and get to see the newest bikes and kit as they arrive.
Real job examples: Major retailers regularlyhire for these roles. Evans Cycles, for instance, advertises CasualSales Assistant positions where responsibilities include “welcoming andengaging customers, offering friendly and professional advice” andpromoting safe cycling practices[15]. At Decathlon UK, a Cycling Department Sales Assistantmight be titled “Cycling Sport Advisor,” reflecting that you’re advisingfellow cyclists; Decathlon specifically looks for team members who can sharetheir sport passion with customers and even help out in the in-store workshop[19].
For mid-life entrants, warehouse jobs in cycling can leverageexperience you might have from other industries (any background in logistics,retail stock, or manual trades). They can also be a good fit if you’re lookingfor a hands-on, team-oriented job that doesn’t require formalqualifications. And once you’re in, you could progress to roles like warehouseteam leader, logistics coordinator, or inventory manager. The cycling sectoralso has specialized logistics roles – for example, companies need bike builderswho work in warehouses assembling bikes before they’re shipped to customers,and quality control technicians who check incoming products. These mightrequire a bit more skill but are still often trainable positions. Overall, ifyou enjoy practical work and want to be part of the cycling supply chain, logisticsis an accessible entry route.
You don’t have to work in a bike shop or warehouse to join the cyclingindustry – there are plenty of desk-based and customer support jobs withcycling brands, retailers, and organizations. These roles are ideal if you havestrong communication skills or administrative experience. They allow you tocombine professional skills (like handling customer inquiries, processingorders, or doing data entry) with your passion for cycling products.
Common entry-level roles: One key area is customerservice. Many cycling companies – especially direct-to-consumer brands andonline retailers – have teams to assist customers via phone, email, or livechat. As a Customer Service Advisor or Executive, you’d helpfellow cyclists with things like product questions, order issues, warrantiesand returns, or technical troubleshooting (for example, helping someone decidewhich size bike to buy, or arranging a replacement for a faulty part). Thesejobs often require “a love for biking” so you can relate to customers,but they’ll teach you the specifics of the product range[20]. Another area is general office administration and sales support.Distributors and bike companies hire Sales Administrators, Data EntryClerks, or Dealer Support Advisors to manage the flow of orders frombike shops and keep things organized behind the scenes[20]. If you’re computer-savvy and organized, these can be a great entrypath.
Real job examples: Big-name bike companieshave active support teams in the UK. For example, Canyon, thedirect-sales bike brand, recently advertised for a Customer Service TeamMember in Chessington to join their UK support office[21]. Another example comes from Muc-Off (the popular bike careproduct brand), which was hiring a Live Chat & Customer ServicesExecutive to handle online customer inquiries and represent the brand’svoice[22]. And recall Chicken CycleKit – they also listed a Customer ServiceAdministrator role, showing that even B2B suppliers need people to liaisewith bike shops and suppliers in an office setting[24]. Charity event organizers also recruit temporary staff: CancerResearch UK often hires seasonal events assistants to help run theircycling and running fundraisers[25]. And cycling-specific event companies exist – e.g. Human Race(organizers of RideLondon and other sportives) or adventure companies like RatRace and Glorious Gravel – which periodically look for crew membersto help deliver events across the country[26]. With a bit of experience, you could land roles like an EventCoordinator for a cycling series or a Race Operations Assistant withBritish Cycling or other federations. (Even now, British Cycling employs stafffor their events team, though those roles often require some prior experience.)
For many, the journey starts with volunteering – for example,volunteering at the Tour of Britain or a local cycling club event –which can lead to paid opportunities once you’ve proven your enthusiasm andreliability. Mid-life professionals with backgrounds in project management,hospitality, or logistics can transition well into event roles, since youalready know how to run things smoothly under pressure. And if you’ve been anavid cyclist or club rider yourself, you’ll have insight into what participantsneed, which is a bonus. Working events is hard work but incredibly rewarding:you get to make cycling experiences safe and fun for thousands of people. Plus,there’s nothing like the camaraderie of an event crew, and you’ll buildcontacts fast. Keep an eye out for postings like “Cycling Event Assistant,”“Events Marshal,” or “Sport Event Crew”. Once you’re in, each eventyou work is a new adventure (often outdoors in beautiful locations), and astepping stone to bigger roles.
The cycling boom isn’t just in bike sales – it’s also in cycling mediaand content. Enthusiasts are consuming more cycling content than ever, fromYouTube videos and podcasts to magazines and social media. This means cyclingcompanies and publishers are hiring creative talent. If you have skills inwriting, photography, video production, social media management, or marketing,there are entry-level opportunities to apply those in the cycling context.
Types of roles: A wide variety falls underthis umbrella. On the creative side, you have roles like Content Writer,Journalist, or Copywriter for cycling magazines, websites, or brands. Theseinvolve writing articles, product descriptions, blog posts, or social mediaupdates about bikes and cycling culture. For example, Cycling Weekly(the venerable magazine) recently advertised for a News and Features Writerto join their editorial team – a rare chance to write about everything from proracing to local cycling stories for a top publication[27]. If you’re more visually inclined, there are roles for videographersand video editors (think of the team behind Global Cycling Network’svideos) and photographers. Play Sports Network, which runs GCN, often haslistings like “Video Creator – Road Cycling” seeking someone to shootand edit engaging cycling videos[28]. Then there’s the social media and marketing side: Social MediaCoordinators for cycling brands, Marketing Assistants for bikecompanies, or Digital Content Executives for retailers. These jobs blendcreativity with strategy – you might manage an Instagram account for a cyclingapparel brand, help plan email newsletters for an online bike shop, orcoordinate marketing campaigns for a new product launch, all while being thevoice that connects with the cycling community.
Real job examples: Here are a few toillustrate the landscape. A cycling apparel startup might hire a JuniorMarketing Assistant to handle social media posts and influencer outreach(several such listings have appeared on general job sites). An established bikemanufacturer like Reid Bikes listed a Technical Marketing Executiverole, which involves writing product copy and marketing materials, requiringboth marketing savvy and “knowledge of bicycles & bicycle parts”[29] – a great example of turning bike knowledge into a marketing career.On the media side, Future plc (owner of Cycling Weekly, BikeRadar, etc.)often recruits editorial interns or junior writers; as noted, they were lookingfor someone who “has proven writing ability” and deep bike knowledge tojoin Cycling Weekly’s team[30]. Websites like CyclingIndustry.News have even advertised for a JuniorCopywriter to craft content for a cycling retailer’s website[31]. And don’t forget cycling-related charities and nonprofits: CYCALL, aninclusive cycling charity, was hiring a Content Officer to plan andcreate content reflecting their activities and values[32] – a role combining social media and storytelling for a good cause.
These jobs typically expect you to bring some relevant skills (maybeyou studied marketing, English, or media, or you’ve run a personal cycling blogor YouTube channel). But they are entry-level in that you don’t necessarilyneed years of professional experience – your passion and willingness tolearn can set you apart. If you’re switching into cycling from another field, asmart approach is to build a portfolio that ties your skill to bikes:for example, write a few sample articles or start a small cycling blog,volunteer to do social media for your local cycling club, or create a videoabout a bike adventure you took. This not only hones your skills but also showsemployers you’re serious about cycling content. Remember, as one industry guideput it, getting these jobs can be about “being in the right place at theright time” and sometimes starting as a freelancer to get your name outthere[33]. So be proactive – network at events, pitch ideas to cycling websites,and keep an eye on job boards. As the cycling industry grows, so does the needfor fresh voices and creative minds to tell its stories.
The examples above are just a glimpse into the full spectrum ofentry-level cycling jobs in the UK. The cycling world is remarkably broad –it touches retail, engineering, tourism, media, technology, education, andmore. That means there’s likely a niche that fits your interests and strengths.The industry thrives on passion, so showing genuine enthusiasm forcycling is often your biggest asset as an applicant. Whether you want to wearan apron in a bike workshop, a polo in a bike shop, or a marketing hat at abike brand, the key is to take that first step.
Are you feeling inspired to pursue a cycling career? Here’s what youcan do next:
· Explore current job openings on our Jobs in Cycling platform to find the latest entry-levelvacancies across the UK. New opportunities are posted regularly, fromapprentice mechanic spots to marketing internships – dive in and see whatsparks your interest.
· Create a profile or upload yourCV to let employers know you’re out there. Often,companies in the cycling sector value attitude and trainability, so even ifyour experience is in a different field, highlight your transferable skills andpassion for bikes.
· Sign up for our newsletter to get updates on the newest entry-level cycling jobs UK-wide,career tips, and industry news delivered to your inbox. Staying informed willhelp you pounce on the right opportunity when it comes along.
· Follow Jobs in Cycling onLinkedIn and Instagram for daily content and jobhighlights. We share success stories, interview advice, and behind-the-sceneslooks at cycling workplaces to keep you motivated and in the loop. Plus,engaging with our community on social media is a great way to network with industryinsiders and fellow job seekers.
Call to Action: The cycling industry isgearing up for its next chapter – and you could be part of it. Whether you’reaiming to be the next go-to bike mechanic in your town, a creative voice incycling media, or a friendly face helping customers at a bike shop, there’s nobetter time to start than now. Turn your love of cycling into a livelihood.Check out the opportunities waiting for you on Jobs in Cycling, take that firststep by applying or reaching out, and pedal confidently into your new career.The road ahead is open – let’s ride! [4]
[1] [3] The case for cycling: the economy | Cycling UK
https://www.cyclinguk.org/briefing/case-cycling-economy
[2] Aspire Insights: One year on – the state of the cycling industry 2025- Aspire PR
https://aspirepr.co.uk/news/aspire-insights-one-year-on-the-state-of-the-cycling-industry-2025/
[4] [5] [6] [33] How Anyone Can Get A Job In The Bike Industry – Singletrack WorldMagazine
https://singletrackworld.com/2021/06/how-anyone-can-get-a-job-in-the-bike-industry/
[7] [8] [9] [10] [13] Cycle mechanic | Explore Careers | National Careers Service
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/cycle-mechanic
[15] [29] Bicycle Cycling Industry Work, jobs (with Salaries) | Indeed UnitedKingdom
https://uk.indeed.com/q-bicycle-cycling-industry-jobs.html
[14] 'It was a constant terror... cold sweat and panic' – how onehigh-flyer quit the rat race to fix bikes | Cycling Weekly
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/it-was-a-constant-terror-cold-sweat-and-panic-how-one-high-flyer-quit-the-rat-race-to-fix-bikes
https://www.cycleassociation.uk/jobs/
[19] Warehouse Operative - The Bike Club - Glassdoor
https://www.glassdoor.com/job-listing/warehouse-operative-the-bike-club-JV_IC3252733_KO0,19_KE20,33.htm?jl=1009654722821
[20] Cycling Industry Customer Service & Sales Admin in Heath and Reach
https://talents.studysmarter.co.uk/companies/chicken-cyclekit/heath-and-reach/cycling-industry-customer-service-sales-admin-17505350/
[21] [22] 1,000+ Cycling jobs in United Kingdom
https://uk.linkedin.com/jobs/cycling-jobs
[24] [28] [32] Cycling Event Staff Work, jobs (with Salaries) | Indeed United Kingdom
https://uk.indeed.com/q-cycling-event-staff-jobs.html
[25] Seasonal Sports Events Jobs | Cancer Research UK
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/careers/seasonal-event-opportunities-at-cancer-research-uk
[26] JOIN THE TEAM | Rat Race Events
https://www.ratrace.com/join-the-team
[27] [30] Cycling Weekly is looking for a full-time news and features writer –could it be you? | Cycling Weekly
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/cycling-weekly-is-looking-for-a-full-time-news-and-features-writer-could-it-be-you
[31] Junior Copywriter
https://cyclingindustry.news/junior-copywriter/
Jobs in Cycling is deliberately small. That benefits applicants — and it benefits employers too.
