The Chainlink

Cycling Merit Badge

Did you know that Boy Scouts can earn a cycling merit badge?  

here are the requirements (seems like a good list to me):

  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while cycling, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
  2. Clean and adjust a bicycle. Prepare it for inspection using a bicycle safety checklist. Be sure the bicycle meets local laws.
  3. Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection. Point out the adjustments or repairs you have made. Do the following:
    1. Show all points that need oiling regularly.
    2. Show points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
    3. Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.
  4. Describe how to brake safely with foot brakes and with hand brakes.
  5. Show how to repair a flat. Use an old bicycle tire.
  6. Take a road test with your counselor and demonstrate the following:
    1. Properly mount, pedal, and brake including emergency stops.
    2. 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.
    3. Properly execute a right turn.
    4. Demonstrate appropriate actions at a right-turn-only lane when you are continuing straight.
    5. Show proper curbside and road-edge riding. Show how to safely ride along a row of parked cars.
    6. Cross railroad tracks properly.
  7. Describe your state’s traffic laws for bicycles. Compare them with motor-vehicle laws. Know the bicycle-safety guidelines.
  8. 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, routes traveled, and interesting things seen.*
  9. After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours.

* The bicycle must have all required safety features. It must be registered as required by your local traffic laws.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joel on July 31, 2010 at 8:28am
That looks good to me. In fact, it looks like a good list for anyone that wants to cycle. I'm surprised how long the required rides are.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 31, 2010 at 8:55am
insert brownie joke here>>
Permalink Reply by Chuck a Muck on July 31, 2010 at 10:54am
As a former Scout I can tell you getting merit badges are alot of hard work. The next time you see a Scout with a sash full of merit badges, you know that kid worked his ass off to get those.
Permalink Reply by Dubi Kaufmann on July 31, 2010 at 4:28pm
My merit badge is a Midnight Marauders spoke card. :)
Permalink Reply by jen on July 31, 2010 at 5:00pm
I earned a the cyclist patch as a girl scout. The first few requirement for the badge were pretty similar, but we also had to

1. Show how to carry gear on your bicycle safely.

2. With others show how to make a shelter using ponchos and bicycles

3. Learn about the history of bicycles. Explain the advantages of the different models currently in use

4. Teach another person how to ride a bicycle.

5. Plan three nutritious lunches suitable for an all-day bicycle trip.

Hmmmm who would you rather be stuck on a bike trip with?????
Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on July 31, 2010 at 5:06pm
Further proof I never would have cut it as a girl scout.

jen said:
I earned a the cyclist patch as a girl scout. The first few requirement for the badge were pretty similar, but we also had to

1. Show how to carry gear on your bicycle safely.

2. With others show how to make a shelter using ponchos and bicycles

3. Learn about the history of bicycles. Explain the advantages of the different models currently in use

4. Teach another person how to ride a bicycle.

5. Plan three nutritious lunches suitable for an all-day bicycle trip.

Hmmmm who would you rather be stuck on a bike trip with?????
Permalink Reply by nik was here on July 31, 2010 at 7:52pm
former eagle scout. former cycling merit badge recipient. I blame a 300 mile bike ride across wisconsin my first year in the boy scouts for the dose that left me addicted.
Permalink Reply by nhylc on August 1, 2010 at 1:04am
former eagle... i have this badge as well...
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on August 1, 2010 at 1:21am
Hey Eagles, thanks for chiming in, but let me remind you, there's no such thing as a "former Eagle" - once you're an Eagle, you're an Eagle for life. Represent!
Permalink Reply by Vilda on August 1, 2010 at 1:25am
Amen! ;-) Though there is just as much boy on boy touching in Marauders as there is in the scouts! ;-)

Dubi Kaufmann said:
My merit badge is a Midnight Marauders spoke card. :)
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 1, 2010 at 1:26am
LOL

Gabe said:
Amen! ;-) Though there is just as much boy on boy touching in Marauders as there is in the scouts! ;-)

Dubi Kaufmann said:
My merit badge is a Midnight Marauders spoke http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&pver=6&ar=C.... :)
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on August 1, 2010 at 1:35am
very patriotic thumbnail there nhylc - did Scouting have the same effect on you as the Catholic church did on me?

nhylc said:
former eagle... i have this badge as well...

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