Cycling Merit Badge Requirements

🦅 Eagle Required
6 Requirements Updated January 21, 2026 View Official Page ↗ Download Free Pamphlet ↓

Learn bicycle safety laws, proper helmet fitting, road riding techniques, and bike maintenance skills to earn this Eagle-required merit badge.

Requirements

  1. Copy link to requirement 1
    Do the following:
    1. Copy link to requirement 1.a
      Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in cycling activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Explain to your counselor how to ride predictably, be conspicuous, think ahead, and ride ready.
    2. Copy link to requirement 1.b
      Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including cuts, scratches, concussions, blisters, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, and snakebite. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify the poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area.
  2. Copy link to requirement 2
    Describe your state and local laws concerning bicycles. Discuss what is the same and what is different from laws applying to motor vehicles. Explain where and how you should ride on roads and streets to include lane position, changing lanes, making left and right turns, and riding through intersections.
  3. Copy link to requirement 3
    Explain the importance of wearing the right clothing and gear while cycling, including a properly sized and fitted helmet. Know the Scouting America Bike Safety Guidelines.
  4. Copy link to requirement 4
    Using a bicycle safety checklist, clean and adjust a bicycle and present it to your counselor for inspection. Do the following:
    1. Copy link to requirement 4.a
      Show points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
    2. Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Show how to adjust the saddle and handlebars for a proper fit.
    3. Copy link to requirement 4.c
      Show how to adjust brakes and gear shifting (derailleurs).
    4. Copy link to requirement 4.d
      Show all points that need regular lubrication.
    5. Copy link to requirement 4.e
      Show how to repair a flat by removing the tire, replacing or patching the tube, and remounting the tire.
    6. Copy link to requirement 4.f
      Show that the bicycle meets local laws.
  5. Copy link to requirement 5
    Demonstrate basic bicycle handling skills to your counselor, to include how to properly mount your bicycle, starting and stopping (to include emergency stops), riding in a straight line, turning, shifting gears, scanning, and signaling.
  6. Copy link to requirement 6
    Using the Scouting America buddy system, complete all of the requirements for ONE of the following options: Road Biking OR Trail or Mixed Surface Biking.
    1. Copy link to requirement 6.a
      A Option A—Road Biking. Do ALL of the following:
      1. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1
        Take a road safety test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
        1. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1.a
          On an urban street with light traffic, properly execute a left turn from the center of the street; also demonstrate an alternate left-turn technique used during periods of heavy traffic.
        2. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1.b
          Properly execute a right turn.
        3. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1.c
          Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight.
        4. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1.d
          Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to ride safely along a row of parked cars.
        5. Copy link to requirement 6.a.1.e
          Cross railroad tracks properly.
      2. Copy link to requirement 6.a.2
        Avoiding main highways, take two rides of 10 miles each, two rides of 15 miles each, and two rides of 25 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates for the routes traveled, and interesting things seen on the ride.
      3. Copy link to requirement 6.a.3
        After completing requirement (2) for the road biking option, do ONE of the following:
        1. Copy link to requirement 6.a.3.a
          Lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours or less.
        2. Copy link to requirement 6.a.3.b
          Participate in an organized bike tour of at least 50 miles. Make this ride in eight hours or less. Afterward, use the tour’s cue sheet to make a map of the ride.
    2. Copy link to requirement 6.b
      B Option B—Trail or Mixed Surface Biking Do ALL of the following: Note: These requirements may be completed using a mountain bike or other properly equipped, manually-powered cycle such as a gravel bike, tandem bike, hand-powered bike, recumbent bike, adult tricycle, or adaptive cycle. If a tandem bike is used, the Scout must actively power the cycle in concert with the other rider.
      1. Copy link to requirement 6.b.1
        Demonstrate the following mountain bike handling skills to your counselor:
        1. Copy link to requirement 6.b.1.a
          Neutral position, ready position, bike body separation (side to side, and forward and back), and body positioning for cornering
        2. Copy link to requirement 6.b.1.b
          Show shifting skills as applicable to climbs and obstacles.
        3. Copy link to requirement 6.b.1.c
          Show proper technique for riding up and down hills, including when you would ride seated, crouched, or standing.
      2. Copy link to requirement 6.b.2
        Take a trail safety test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
        1. Copy link to requirement 6.b.2.a
          Show proper trail etiquette to hikers and other cyclists, including when to yield the right-of-way.
        2. Copy link to requirement 6.b.2.b
          Demonstrate how to correctly cross an obstacle by either going over the obstacle on your bike or dismounting your bike and crossing over or around the obstacle
        3. Copy link to requirement 6.b.2.c
          Cross rocks, gravel, and roots properly
      3. Copy link to requirement 6.b.3
        Describe the rules of trail riding, including how to know when a trail is unsuitable for riding.
      4. Copy link to requirement 6.b.4
        On mountain biking or multi-use trails approved by your counselor, take two rides of 2 miles each, two rides of 5 miles each, and two rides of 8 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates for the routes traveled, and interesting things seen.
      5. Copy link to requirement 6.b.5
        After fulfilling the previous requirement, lay out on a trail map a 22-mile trip. You may include multiple trail systems, if needed. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, complete this ride in one day.