The short answer is between £25 to £65 annually to join a local cycling club in the UK. The cost can differ quite a lot between the clubs, additionally, the price may vary within the club itself due to factors such as your age, whether you’re a student and more!

We are here to help you understand this by breaking down the most common factors that affect the annual cost of cycling clubs in the UK. We will also go over other costs that come with joining a cycling club that you might not have taken into consideration when evaluating the prices. 

Different types of memberships

Every cycling club and group has its own types of annual memberships, below we have listed the most common types within a club, as well as the average pricing for each.

Standard Annual Membership – £35

This membership usually includes “the full package”, meaning benefits such as free access to club rides, priority entries to events, access to virtual club rides, legal protection, freebies and discounts, the club magazine, tips and coaching, access to social events and finally, new friends!

Second Household Membership – £25

If a family member is already part of the cycling club you want to join, this membership is the one for you. It gives you a discount, typically between £5 to £15 (depending on which club it is) and it includes the same benefits as in the standard annual membership.

Student Over 18 years old – £5

Luckily, most cycling clubs want you to be able to participate in the cycling club community, therefore even if you are a student low on funds a majority of clubs offer the membership at a reduced price, whilst including all the perks as the standard membership. All you must do to meet the requirements for this membership type is be a full-time student.

Kids Membership – £0 to £5

If you want to sign up your child to a cycling club the memberships are usually very inexpensive. They are often completely free of charge up until 16 years of age, then between 16 and 18, the typical annual price is just £5. You can read more about kids cycling clubs here.

The above membership types are the most common membership models for cycling clubs, but these can of course vary between clubs. Some clubs can even offer free lifetime memberships if you are a very committed member. If you for example dedicate a lot of your time volunteering to organise events for club members, belong to the club committee and work hard within the club to improve it, you can get rewarded.

Should you join British Cycling or Cycling UK?

Another cost to consider is the Cycling UK or British Cycling membership price . This is a completely different type of membership from a club membership, which grants you benefits of its own. The primary reason to join one of the two is for insurance and to benefit from their discounts. 

Most clubs do not require that you become a member of either of these, but they all strongly recommend it. Both communities have different types of memberships depending on your needs, preferences, and age group. Listed below are the cost and benefits of the standard annual membership of the two.

British cycling – £51

Their highest-tier membership is called the “GOLD” membership and is for those that want all the possible perks and are over 18 years of age. This fee is also paid annually along with the club membership. The benefits include:

• Personal accident cover
• Liability Insurance and legal assistance
• Provisional race licence
• 10% off in Halfords stores nationwide
• £10 off at Chain Reaction Cycles
• Priority access to tickets for cycling events
• Exclusive rates on bike Insurance
• News, expert tips, and competitions

Cycling UK – £48

This is the full covered membership from Cycling UK also for 18+. They grant the option to pay annually or monthly, which would come to £4 per month or £48 per year. The benefits included are listed below.

• Personal Insurance and legal advice
• Discounts on bike Insurance
• FREE bi-monthly Cycle magazine
• Up to 15% discount at selected retailers

Cycling gear cost

Apart from membership fees, you should be prepared for the costs related to the right cycling equipment. Most clubs require that you have the right type of bike and other accessories to be able to join the club. This is primarily due to safety reasons.

Club kit

A club kit usually consists of a jersey, shorts and a jacket, but this can of course vary between clubs. Usually, cubs don’t mind if you go on group rides wearing different gear than their club kit, but it is common courtesy to purchase at least their jersey and wear it on club rides.

The purpose of a kit is partly to ensure that you are wearing clothes that enable you to cycle comfortably. But it does also, of course, help the team spirit and add to the feeling of belonging within the group when everyone’s matching.

Bike, clothes, & accessories

There is of course a huge price range when it comes to cycling equipment. As with many things, the prices depend on what brand you purchase, what type of bike you need, and the quality. Listed below are roughly estimated prices for each item we recommend you invest in as a beginner. 

• Bicycle: £230 – £1000
• Shoes and pedals: £100 – £300
• Clothes/Club kit: £50 – £200
• Helmet: £50 – £200
• Tools/accessories: £100 – £200

 As we can see, prices vary a lot, it all comes down to how much you are willing to invest in your hobby. Having a properly working bike and helmet is crucial for safety, but when it comes to clothes and accessories you can find great items on a budget. Check out our gear page to compare prices.

After browsing the different costs of starting cycling as a hobby it might seem like a lot, but you don’t have to purchase all items at once if you are a beginner. We can vouch that joining a cycling club brings many benefits that outweigh any type of concern you might feel towards it.