Track Cycling Accreditation

If you wish to progress through our exciting four stage accreditation process, you'll maximise the sessions available to you and then be able to ride during track leagues and structured training sessions.

If you've experience of riding a velodrome on a fixed-gear track bike within the last three months, you can begin the accreditation process at Stage 1 - Developing Your Track Riding, and progress through until Stage 4 - Accreditation. Each stage unlocks more exciting sessions. Attend these sessions to develop your skills as you progress through the accreditation process. You don't have to complete all four stages in order to enjoy a weekly variety of session types to suit your needs.

On successful completion of Stage 4, riders can access the complete Lee Valley VeloPark programme including all fitness and SQT sessions, plus compete in the venue's track leagues.

Stage 1

Session length: 120 minutes 
Price: £23 (session only)
Age: 12+ years 
Minimum height: 145cm / 4ft 9ins (for bike hire) 
Equipment hire: Bike £9 Junior (Under 18) | Bike £13 (Adult) | Gloves £4 | Look Keo Cleats £9 | All Equipment £21

Before booking a Stage 1 session, you must have experience of riding a velodrome on a fixed-gear track bike within the last three months. 

Our Velodrome Experience sessions are an ideal first step if you haven't ridden before or if you're feeling a bit rusty! 

Stage 1 is a fun, engaging session that is open to all riders with track experience. Stage 1 will equip you with the necessary skills and physical ability to ride safely and competently in co-operation with other riders. Riders are not assessed against any criteria in Stage 1, and may attend as often as they wish regardless of their level of accreditation. 

Book now

Essential information

  • Bike and helmet hire is available
  • Track mitts/cycling gloves must be worn and are available to hire
  • Look Keo cleats are compatible with bikes provided and can be hired from us
  • Shoulders must be covered

Stage 2 - Initial Accreditation

Session length: 90 minutes
Price: £23 (session only)
Minimum height: 145cm / 4ft 9ins (for bike hire)
Equipment hire: Bike £9 Junior (Under 18) | Bike £13 (Adult) | Gloves £4 | Look Keo Cleats £9 | All Equipment £21

The Stage 2 assessment covers a range of group riding skills within the basic training exercises learned in Stage 1.

You'll be assessed against the specific criteria below:

  • Independently clip in to pedals and start
  • Stop safely and effectively on the fence
  • Ride within 1m of the wheel in front
  • Effectively control speed to manage space between each other without 'kicking back' or overlapping wheels
  • Display consistent and effective observation and communication at all times
  • Hold a line confidently whilst riding at the top of the track less than 1m from the track fence
  • Change effectively from the front to the back of a line of riders in a paceline, completing the change within half a lap
  • Ride confidently and safely in pairs above the blue line

Once you have passed this stage, you can access Drop in - Unaccredited, Velodrome Gates and Stage 3 sessions to continue building your strength and skills.

Book now

Essential information

  • You must attend Stage 1 before you move up to Stage 2
  • Bike and helmet hire is available
  • Track mitts/cycling gloves must be worn and are available to hire
  • Look Keo cleats are compatible with bikes provided and can be hired from us
  • Shoulders must be covered

Stage 3 - Advanced Track Skills

Session length: 120 minutes 
Price: £23 (session only)
Age: 12+ years 
Minimum height: 145cm / 4ft 9ins (for bike hire) 
Equipment hire: Bike £9 Junior (Under 18) | Bike £13 (Adult) | Gloves £4 | Look Keo Cleats £9 | All Equipment £21

Stage 3 sessions, riders must have passed their Stage 2 accreditation at Lee Valley VeloPark first.

Stage 3 is a more advanced skill session than Stage 1, both in the technical aspect of the activities and the physical fitness required. Stage 3 isn't assessed against any criteria, and the session largely focuses on group (bunch) activities and coach-led racing exercises. 

Stage 3 is ideal for riders looking to continue to develop their skills and physical ability in a structured and supportive environment. 

Book now

Essential information

  • You must pass Stage 2 before you move up to Stage 3 
  • Bike and helmet hire is available
  • Track mitts/cycling gloves must be worn and are available to hire
  • Look Keo cleats are compatible with bikes provided and can be hired from us
  • Shoulders must be covered

Stage 4 - Accreditation

Session length: 90 minutes
Price: £23 (session only)
Age: 12+ years
Minimum height: 145cm / 4ft 9ins (for bike hire)
Equipment hire: Bike £9 Junior (Under 18) | Bike £13 (Adult) | Gloves £4 | Look Keo Cleats £9 | All Equipment £21

The Stage 4 assessment criteria will cover a varied selection of skills and activities, from simple to advanced.

You'll be expected to:

  • Complete assessment tasks safely and effectively, often under race specific conditions
  • Show good ability to follow instruction in a timely manner
  • Change in pairs effectively from the front of a group of riders above the blue line, completing the entire change within one lap
  • Display confident, effective manoeuvring and safe decision making at all times
Book now

Essential information

  • You must attend Stage 3 before you move up to Stage 4 
  • Bike and helmet hire is available
  • Track mitts/cycling gloves must be worn and are available to hire
  • Look Keo cleats are compatible with bikes provided and can be hired from us
  • Shoulders must be covered

Additional Information

Assessment Criteria

Stage 1

Riders are not assessed against any criteria in Stage 1, and may attend as often as they wish regardless of their level of accreditation. Stage 1 focuses on riding for fitness and basic technical development in single file and pairs.

Stage 2

  • Independently clip into pedals and start / stop safely and effectively on the fence
  • Ride within 1m of the wheel in front
  • Effectively control speed to manage the space between each other without 'kicking back' or overlapping wheels
  • Display consistent and effective observation and communication at all times
  • Hold a line confidently whilst riding at the top of the track less than 1m from the track fence
  • Change effectively from the front to the back of a line of riders in a paceline, completing the change within half a lap
  • Ride confidently and safely in pairs above the blue line
  • Riders are assessed 

Stage 3

Riders are not assessed against any criteria in Stage 3 and may attend as often as they wish after passing stage 2 (initial) accreditation. Stage 3 focuses on bunch riding and coach-led racing exercises, though it will also contain elements from previous stages.

Stage 4

  • Complete assessment tasks safely and effectively, often under race specific conditions
  • Show good ability to follow instruction in a timely manner
  • Change in pairs effectively from the front of a group of riders above the blue line, completing the entire change within 1 lap
  • Display confident, effective manoeuvring and safe decision making at all times
  • Riders are assessed

Shared accreditation partnership

We've standardised our accreditation programme to ensure our sessions are consistent with the five other UK indoor velodromes:

  • Derby Arena
  • National Cycling Centre Velodrome, Manchester
  • The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, Newport
  • Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome (Emirates Arena), Glasgow
  • Calshot Activities Centre

In order to validate accredited riders from other UK indoor velodromes, riders must have proof of their accreditation (e.g BC UKIVA endorsement), and sign up as a Lee Valley member for free. They'll have to pass Lee Valley VeloPark’s two assessed stages (Stage 2 and Stage 4) before becoming a Lee Valley VeloPark accredited rider. On passing each of these stages riders can access the relevant Lee Valley VeloPark programmed sessions linked to those stages. On passing stage 4 all programmed sessions become accessible to accredited riders, including SQTs, specific accredited training sessions and track leagues.

  • If you're a current professional international track rider (with an elite UCI License) with approval from the Venue Manager or an Assistant Manager you'll not have to pass the accreditation process.
  • If you're a former pro/national track level rider or a first and elite category road cyclist you'll need to start the track accreditation process from Stage 1

How to book

To book, you'll need to sign in to our website using your membership number. Once logged in, select Lee Valley VeloPark and use the drop down list available to select your desired session.

 Book now