Since its birth in the 1970s, mountain biking has matured into a well-respected sport. Like other extreme sports, though, it's still in a developmental phase, as of 2011, especially when it comes to professional training. Mountain biking techniques continue to evolve, and riders still learn skills on the fly. Locating a professional mountain bike instructor is challenging, but finding instructor training is even more difficult. However, some recognized mountain bike organizations offer certified instructor training courses.
About Instructor Certification
Up until the 2000s, there wasn't much in the way of professional mountain bike instructor training. Most riders gained experience through trial and error and learned by sharing techniques they came up with on the fly. Although some mountain biking schools began to crop up in the 1990s, there were no officially recognized teacher training programs. Some of these schools eventually began offering unofficial instructor training courses as well as their own certification.
PMBI Certification
At the forefront of formalizing instructor education and certification was extreme sports professional athlete Paul Howard, who began offering mountain bike instructor certification through his company, Zep Techniques, in the 2000s in British Columbia, Canada. But this certification was still not recognized by any official mountain biking organization, and still isn't as of 2011, according to Zep Techniques. But Howard, recognized as the leader in mountain bike instructor training, continues to certify instructors through Zep Techniques, including affiliated U.S. mountain bike instructor training programs, where you can obtain Professional Mountain Bike Instructor, or PMBI, certification.
Gaining Experience
Most qualified mountain bike instructors also have wilderness first-responder training as well as many hours of mountain bike riding experience. One way to gain experience in both is through volunteer organizations, such as the International Mountain Bicycling Association's National Mountain Bike Patrol, or NMBP. As an NMBP volunteer, you assist emergency personnel and others, and help inform and educate trail users. Nearly 60 volunteer bike patrol groups are assembled nationally and internationally, and you can also get training as an NMBP instructor. However, mountain bike instructor training organizations, such as Zep Techniques, strongly urge you to complete an official Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness Advanced First Aid certificate before taking the PMBI certification training course.
First-Responder Training
While riding expertise is essential for becoming a proficient mountain bike instructor, wilderness first-responder training prepares you to handle emergencies that might arise during remote instruction rides. Some first responders couple their EMS or police training with mountain bike training through organizations such as the International Police Mountain Bike Association, or IPMBA. The organization also offers instructor courses developed to train and certify IPMBA EMS, police or security cyclist instructors.
Instructor Certification Courses
Several mountain biking organizations in the United States offer mountain bike instructor training courses, with many of them also following the PMBI certification curriculum, such as Trek Dirt Series and Idaho Bike Ranch. The PMBI instructor program is now "an industry leader in mountain bike instructor training," says Pinkbike. Canadian mountain bike organizations offering PMBI instructor training and certification in British Columbia include BaSE Mountain Bike Camps, Kicking Horse Bike Park and Elevation Outdoor Programs Association.
Online Training
Organizations such as the NMBP offer online instructor certification and recertification programs for mountain bike patrol volunteers, but it's difficult to find professional mountain bike instructor certification programs online. However, you can work on developing your mountain bike riding skills via online sites, such as IMB, and Zep Techniques provides a downloadable professional riding techniques manual.
References
- ABC of Mountain Biking: Mountain Biking History
- Zep Techniques: Instructor Training
- International Mountain Bicycling Association: IMBA National Mountain Bike Patrol
- International Police Mountain Bike Association: IPMBA Certified Training Courses
- Pinkbike: Wanna be a Mountain Bike Instructor?
- IMB: Technique
Member Comments