Become a Bike Education Instructor
Join us in educating and inspiring the next generation of cyclists.
Travel across the region • Stay active • Grow professionally • Get paid to bike!
Applications open in July for the Autumn 2024 season
Apply Now
Do you believe in the benefits of biking and sharing your knowledge and experiences with others? Are you passionate about teaching and want to apply this to the world of safe cycling? We encourage you to apply!
We look forward to reading about your relevant skills in a resume and cover letter, including the following information:
- How you found out about the position
- Your typical weekday availability for the duration of the upcoming season, and how this seasonal position is a good fit for you
- Confirming your availability for the upcoming pre-season Advance Your Ride certification course (see seasonal timeline below)
Please combine these documents into one .PDF document if possible, and name the file using the following convention: BikeEd24_Firstname_Lastname.pdf
Email this document to jobs@bikehub.ca with the subject 'Bike Education Instructor' by Friday August 23nd to be prioritized for the Autumn 2024 season. Hiring has begun on a rolling basis.
"Every time my alarm wakes me up, it's a new day, new location, and a new assignment.
One thing that is consistent is the stellar crew I get to work with - they all have a great, infectious positive attitude."
- Darren, HUB Instructor since 2017
You're well suited to apply if you:
• Believe in the benefits of cycling for individuals, communities, and the environment.
• Value the right to cycle amongst all ages and abilities.
• Enjoy teaching children primarily aged 8-14, using enthusiasm, professionalism, and patience.
• Feel confident on your bike whether riding in vehicle traffic or wetter weather.
• Adapt well to different audiences, locations, coworkers, weather, and unforeseen changes.
• Appreciate teamwork and can lead or work in a team to accomplish a common goal.
• Are organized and on time.
Bonus points if you have:
• Led education programs in the past for children or adults.
• Basic bike maintenance knowledge or professional experience.
• A driver's licence valid in B.C and feel comfortable driving a full-size cargo van.
You'll also need:
• Reliable access to a bicycle.
• Clear Criminal Record Check for the vulnerable sector.
• Legal authorization to work in Canada.
• English fluency.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds for work.
• Standard First Aid & CPR-C certification or equivalency, or a willingness to obtain (note: this course is more comprehensive than, and not equivalent to, Emergency First Aid or Occupational First Aid Level 1).
Position Summary
Bike Education Instructors work on a seasonal basis and teach a variety of bike safety courses. Instructors primarily work our Bike to School programs, which are delivered to elementary and middle school students (ages 8-14) during school hours. Occasional engagement with community StreetWise programs outside of these hours may also be involved. Instructors may work individually to teach in-class lessons or as part of a small team when teaching outdoor on-bike skills. Successful Instructors believe in the multi-faceted benefits of cycling, bring enthusiasm and professionalism, and get joy from being active alongside children.
Both full-time (4-5 days/week) and part-time (2-3 days/week) positions are offered. The number of shifts may vary from week to week depending on an Instructor’s availability, school holidays, and programming needs. Instructors travel within Metro Vancouver to instruct courses, and can expect some early morning start times to reach schools by the start of their day. Some shifts may include transporting bicycles, helmets, and special equipment, although owning a vehicle is not required. The position is seasonal, recurring in the spring (end of March to end of June) and fall (early September to mid-November), with summer work also available through HUB and partners for those looking for more continuous work.
Job Benefits
- Comprehensive up-front training, and ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Living Wage compensation, ranging from $25.00-29.40 per hour plus 6% vacation pay, depending on experience.
- Paid training, prep, and travel time in addition to instructional time.
- Up to 10 annual paid wellness days per fiscal year.
- Pro-deals/discounts for major outdoors brands, and service recognition swag.
- Valuable teaching experience for aspiring teachers, both in the classroom and outdoors.
- Friendly and supportive co-workers with shared passions.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Teach bicycle safety: Deliver HUB’s core curriculums to participants across the Metro Vancouver region, in a safe, engaging, and professional manner.
- Encourage cycling: Motivate a diverse range of participants to see cycling as a viable mode of transportation.
- Transport and set up equipment: Load, unload and transport equipment to programs using cargo vans (including bikes, helmets, station materials), and set up activities in advance of the sessions.
- Prepare for programs: Take advantage of paid training and prep time to become comfortable and confident with the recurring curriculums as well as the unique details of individual programs.
- Communicate with all staff: While at programs, Instructors are relied upon to ensure everyone involved is on the same page. They also provide key insight into the challenges, successes, incidents, along with physical documents to members of the Bike Ed. Organizer team.
Schedules & Locations
Weekly Schedules: Both full-time (4-5 days/week) and part-time (2-3 days/week) positions are offered. The variability in the number of shifts is dependent on an Instructor’s availability, school holidays, and programming needs. Schedules are released 2-3 weeks in advance throughout the season.
Locations: HUB Cycling has delivered programs in over 20 municipalities, concentrated in Metro Vancouver but sometimes extending to places as far as the Sunshine Coast. Instructors should expect daily travel to schools across Metro Vancouver, which may require early morning start times in order to reach schools by the start of their day.
Are you based out of Kelowna, Capital Regional District Prince George, or the West Kootenays? We support partner organizations in delivering similar programming. Learn more about the provincial Everyone Rides Grade 4-5 program.
Seasonal Timeline: Hiring, Training, & Programs
Applicants are welcome to submit their applications at any point in the year, and reviews will begin around 6 weeks before the upcoming season. Select applicants will be invited for an interview, and successful candidates will then be asked to attend a few pre-season events:
- Advance Your Ride certification course - For those who are not yet Bike Right certified, this 2-day course combines in-depth cycling theory with its practical application in an urban setting. Upfront fees are the responsibility of participants, although full reimbursement is given upon successful completion of the season. More info.
- New Instructor Training - This paid, 2-day training focuses on the essential skills required to be successful in the role, including but not limited to: curriculum comparisons, leading classroom theory and activities, teaching on-bike activities, equipment set up and storage, behaviour management, presentation skills, and general best practices.
- Pre-season All-Instructor Meeting - A couple of hours set aside to gather the full Bike Education team together to review the plan and build excitement for the imminent season.
Training and professional growth continues throughout the season with opportunities to shadow experienced instructors, and receive regular individual feedback and coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical day look like for a HUB Instructor?
One of the best things about HUB’s education programs is that although the curriculum may be delivered repeatedly, no two days look the same!
On some days you may be standing solo in front of a classroom of students, introducing them to the bicycle itself and cycling safety. You’ll likely visit around 4 classes at that school before the end of the day; each group offering new questions and answers that bring variety to the lessons. Another indoor day may have the same structure, but you could be teaching lessons from a curriculum suited for another grade range.
Alternatively, you may be scheduled for an outdoor lesson. If you’ve been selected to transport equipment, you’ll be meeting a fellow Instructor at HUB’s storage locker to load bikes, helmets, and more into a large vehicle. Up to 4 other Instructors may join you on the school grounds, and you’ll begin by huddling to review the plan for the day and arrange equipment and/or simulated traffic scenarios on the school grounds.
When the students arrive, they get divided amongst Instructors to be led through a series of on-bike activities over 60-90 minutes. It may even be the special day when you get to lead a small group of students on a short road ride through their neighbourhood streets, applying their learning to the real world! This is always a favourite day amongst students, school staff, and Instructors.
The wrap-up routine mirrors the set-up so that everything and everyone is ready for the next program. And of course, the best way to end a day of encouraging cycling, is with your own bike ride home!
Are there opportunities for growth within the Bike Education team?
You can imagine it takes a mighty team to educate thousands of participants each year! Once Instructors become familiarized with our programs and processes, many find themselves interested and well suited to make an impact behind the scenes in one of our Bike Ed. Organizer positions, including:
- Coordinators who are in direct contact with schools and other community partners to plan course logistics, while also instructing from time to time.
- Managers who are responsible for supervising teams of Instructors, Coordinators, or steering special programs like Everyone Rides Grade 4-5 and StreetWise Cycling.
Our organization is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace. Our diversity allows us to fully understand, connect to, and respond to the needs of our staff, members and communities. HUB Cycling encourages women, Indigenous peoples, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+ and individuals from other diverse or racialized communities to join our team, and to self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups if they choose.
The Bike Education department works alongside teams for cycling engagement, advocacy, and research within HUB Cycling. View the full list of current job openings here.
If you have further questions, please contact our Instructor Manager, Ari: instructors@bikehub.ca
Read what program recipients thought of the HUB Instructor team:
“Can't say enough good things about our instructors. Students were engaged and the instructors were highly skilled. Well done!” - Vice Principal in District of North Vancouver
“The instructor we had was the best I've ever seen from any field trip/in school presentation EVER. Her control of the kids and class management strategies were fantastic and really helped achieve the learning outcomes.” - Teacher in Vancouver
"This entire program exceeded expectations. Fantastic. Quality instruction, energized instructors who took on even tough kids, four different stations with different learning points. Amazing!" - Teacher in City of Langley
“The students have really enjoyed the course and we appreciate the energy and knowledge brought by the instructors." - Vice Principal in Vancouver
Click on the images to view the photo gallery.