Vice-President’s letter

EDITOR’S LETTER

It’s with great pleasure that I get to welcome you to issue four of International Bike Fitter, which is dedicated to education.

I know it’s been a long time coming, but the IBFI team has been working tirelessly to get everything ready to be able to launch in this issue; I cannot tell you how excited I am to see the fruits of these labours.

TURNING POINT

As we welcome in 2022, the industry is at a point where we all still face challenges brought about by the pandemic and the ensuing explosion in demand for bikes. We now have an almost unprecedented amount of new cyclists exploring the limits of what they can do on a bike. How comfortable and effective they are on their bikes will be a huge part of whether they stick with cycling or not in the long run.

We have an exciting opportunity as bike fitters to help educate a new generation of cyclists. So what better time to ensure that we’re all singing off the same hymn sheet — or at least from the same book?

GLOBAL EDUCATION

To this end, we are launching a new Common Syllabus for bike fitting education, creating a globally recognised modular education system. The syllabus will continue to be developed by our education committee, who we get to introduce in this issue.

We also feature profiles of the education providers who are evolving their own courses in-line with the new syllabus, so you will be able to see which courses globally will already get you on-track to a new qualification.

Obviously, there will also be online elements to these courses so that we can ensure the depth of knowledge in new students. To help facilitate this, we have created an online learning management system, which will be explained in more detail in this issue.

Harmonising education is a fundamental step to creating a respected profession

INCLUSIVE

All good education is inclusive, which is why we are also asking for applicants to join the IBFI’s education committee. Regardless of where you are in your career, this is your opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of bike fitting.

I don’t think it’s too dramatic to say that harmonising education within the industry is a fundamental step to creating a respected profession.

If I think back to when I first started fitting, there were no educational standards that our clients understood or could compare to any of our peers. I think this is why clients started quantifying fitters by what type of technology was used, rather than the level of education and experience of the person conducting their fit. Peppered amongst all of this education information we have your favourite usual IBFI magazine features and products reviews, including a catch up with the product development team at Wahoo, a feature on how the pandemic has affected foot size (yes, really), and a Cafe Stop with Thai fitter Kwanchai Nualchanchy.

So, with no further ado, welcome to our education issue. Have fun, look around and don’t forget to do your homework!

Lee Prescott IBFI Vice President

International Bike Fitter is published by the International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI) Unit 9, Hatton Technology Park, Dark Lane, Warwickshire, CV35 8XB, England

Contacts: Andy Brooke (IBFI President): andy@ibfi-certification.com Lee Prescott (IBFI Vice President): lee@ibfi-certification.com