The cycling industry in the UK is experiencing real momentum. From the rise in everyday commuting by bike to sustained growth in e-bike sales, cycling has moved firmly into the mainstream. It’s no longer just a weekend hobby — it’s transport, fitness, culture, and increasingly, a career path.
Cycling already contributes around £5.4 billion to the UK economy and supports roughly 64,000 full-time jobs across retail, tourism, manufacturing, repair, media, logistics and more. In cities across the country, participation continues to climb. Glasgow recorded 4.65 million cycling trips in the first eight months of 2025 — a 43% increase on the previous year.
As more people ride bikes, the industry around them grows too. Shops need staff. Brands need marketers. Events need crews. Workshops need mechanics. And crucially, many of these roles are entry-level.
Whether you’re 18 and looking for your first job, or 38 and ready to leave the office for something more meaningful, cycling offers a surprising range of starting points.
Let’s break them down.
Choosing cycling isn’t just about working around bikes. It’s about joining a growing, values-driven sector.
Government investment in active travel continues to expand. Local authorities are prioritising cycle infrastructure. Sustainability is no longer niche — it’s central to how people think about transport. As cycling participation increases, so does demand for skilled, motivated people.
There’s also a deeper appeal.
Cycling jobs tend to feel purposeful. You’re supporting healthier lifestyles, lower emissions, community sport, and independent mobility. Compared to many industries, it’s easier to feel connected to what you’re doing.
The sector hasn’t always been easy to break into. It used to be more network-driven and insular. But that’s changing. Companies increasingly recognise they need new talent, broader experience, and diverse perspectives.
And importantly — you don’t need decades of bike-specific experience to start.
Enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to learn go a long way.
If you enjoy working with your hands, becoming a bike mechanic is one of the clearest entry routes.
There’s a formal pathway in the UK through the Bicycle Mechanic Level 2 Apprenticeship. This typically takes 1–2 years and combines workshop training with study. It’s ideal for school leavers but open to anyone looking to retrain.
You can also start more informally as a workshop assistant or trainee mechanic in an independent shop.
With experience, you’ll move into suspension servicing, e-bike diagnostics and full strip-down rebuilds.
Demand is strong — particularly with the growth of e-bikes, which require trained mechanics comfortable with electrical systems.
And it’s not just young people making the switch. Many mid-career professionals retrain as mechanics after burnout in corporate roles. The appeal is simple: practical work, visible results, direct customer interaction.
If you already fix your own bike and understand the basics, you’re closer than you think.
Working in a bike shop remains one of the most common entry points.
Retail roles are ideal if you’re confident talking to people and enjoy sharing product knowledge. Most shops don’t require formal qualifications — enthusiasm and customer skills matter more.
In smaller independent shops, roles are flexible. You might be helping with a helmet fitting one moment and adjusting a derailleur the next.
Large retailers such as Evans Cycles and Decathlon regularly hire cycling sales assistants or “sport advisors.” These roles often include basic mechanical training too.
Retail work builds valuable experience. Many mechanics, brand reps and even company founders started on the shop floor.
Behind every bike sold is a supply chain.
Distributors, e-commerce companies and bike brands all need warehouse staff, bike builders and logistics coordinators.
Entry-level warehouse roles often include:
Companies like Chicken CycleKit and The Bike Club regularly recruit for these roles.
They’re hands-on, team-based and often fast-paced — especially during peak summer months.
If you’re practical, organised and comfortable working physically, logistics is a strong entry route. It also opens pathways into operations management over time.
Not all cycling jobs involve grease or shop floors.
Cycling brands, distributors and online retailers all employ customer support and office teams.
Common entry-level roles include:
These positions combine cycling knowledge with communication skills. You might help customers choose the right bike size, manage returns, or support retail partners placing orders.
Brands like Canyon, Muc-Off and many UK distributors actively recruit in these areas.
If you’re switching careers from administration, retail, hospitality or sales, this is often the smoothest transition into the cycling sector.
Cycling events are growing across the UK — from grassroots sportives to large-scale races.
Event organisers regularly hire:
Companies like Rat Race, Human Race and major charities running cycling fundraisers all recruit seasonal staff.
These roles are fast-moving and often outdoors. They’re great for building industry contacts quickly and can lead to permanent roles in event coordination.
Volunteering at events is also a powerful foot in the door.
Cycling media and marketing is another expanding area.
If you have skills in writing, photography, video production or social media, there are real opportunities.
Recent roles in the sector include:
These jobs typically require some portfolio work — but not necessarily formal industry experience.
If you want to break in:
Demonstrating initiative matters.
One of the biggest myths about cycling careers is that they’re only for people who started racing at 14.
Not true.
Project managers, designers, marketers, engineers, accountants — many professionals transition into cycling mid-career. Transferable skills are valuable. The key is positioning them correctly.
If you already have professional experience, think about how it applies:
Cycling businesses still need structure, organisation and strategic thinking.
If you’re serious about entering the cycling industry:
The cycling industry is growing — and it needs new people.
Whether you want to work in a workshop, a warehouse, an office, or behind a camera, there’s a starting point for you.
Explore the latest vacancies on Jobs in Cycling, upload your CV, and sign up to our newsletter to stay ahead of new listings.
You don’t need to know everything.
You just need to take the first step.
The road is open.
