The Conference will be held in Colorado Springs, CO with the initial support of industry leaders Specialized Bicycles, Canyon Bicycles, Allied Cycle Works, Trek Bikes, Skratch Labs, and the UCI.
(COLORADO SPRINGS, CO—11 MAY 2021) Sport should be open and welcome to all. Yet, recent discriminatory anti-transgender legislation in Arkansas and several other states where USA Cycling and UCI events are being held threatens access to sport. USA Cycling therefore believes it is absolutely necessary to bring the cycling industry together to address the issue of inclusion in cycling, and will be hosting a multi-day Cycling Industry Inclusion Conference in Colorado Springs (CO) in September 2021. To ensure this event is both inclusive and impactful, USA Cycling is working with The Inclusion Playbook, a highly influential and recognized sports impact consultancy, to organize and deliver the event.
The subject of inclusion in cycling events is a vital one to the integrity of the sport and USA Cycling wishes to reaffirm its official position that these laws directly contravene USA Cycling’s Transgender Inclusion Policy, as well as those of the UCI and IOC.
The Inclusion Conference will focus on four key underrepresented communities in cycling: BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled athletes, and Women. Representatives of these communities will be invited to shape the Conference agenda and lead the conversations, presentations, and workshops during the Conference, while cycling industry members will be invited to attend as audience members - to listen and learn.
The Conference will aim to achieve the following:
The Conference will be hosted by USA Cycling and funded through grants, financial donations and product donations from cycling industry partners. All funds raised will go directly towards the execution of the Conference, with any extra funds raised going to USA Cycling’s DEI efforts. The Conference will be free to attend in-person and live virtual attendance will be available.
“A key outcome of the DEI Conference will be the announcement of the Cycling Inclusion Coalition, a group of like-minded brands, companies, groups, and individuals committed to actively working to create and foster inclusive and safe spaces in cycling,” said USA Cycling president and CEO, Rob DeMartini. “A critical first responsibility for this group will be creating an LGBTQIA+ grassroots activation plan to be implemented and tested in Arkansas alongside the upcoming international cyclocross events in October 2021 and January 2022.”
DeMartini added that this grassroots active-engagement plan will involve activations before, during, and following these races, delivered in collaboration by relevant local organizations, state-wide groups, members of the cycling industry, and USA Cycling.
Once established, this plan will be replicated nationally for future cycling events and shared with other National Governing Bodies and event organizers to build upon in their local communities. This framework will empower local communities and amplify the efforts of inclusion-oriented groups and organizations to combat legislation that discriminates against any members of the cycling community.
“The UCI commends USA Cycling for the organization of the future Inclusion Conference, and its strategic vision to ensure that diversity, equality and inclusion are raised at all levels within cycling in the USA”, praised UCI President David Lappartient. “As part of its new sustainability strategy, to be published in June 2021, the UCI will also be launching a series of strategic measures to ensure that the diversity of cycling is increased, respected and celebrated on a global level. The Inclusion Conference will be an opportunity for the UCI to unite its voice with USA Cycling in highlighting the importance of this issue.”
ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)
USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Cycling celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2021. The organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling’s 100,000+ members are racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, as well as coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.
MatadorCE
5/12/2021 6:44 AM
Billrideshisbike.
5/12/2021 10:22 AM
hamncheez2003
5/12/2021 12:39 PM
hamncheez2003
5/11/2021 9:11 PM
USAC just lost all credibility and support. Mark my words, the Intersectionalists destroy everything they touch. Google what they did to the knitting industry.
The Arkansas legislation is not discriminatory. It is something that most people support. All this is utter nonsense. Go woke go broke
BigBoi
5/11/2021 7:08 PM
If people want to bike, cool. If not, also cool. Can’t we just let that be?
Are inner city basketball teams concerned about enough white kids in their leagues? If so, is there any organization around this concern? Probably not because that thought in itself is racist. Feel free to delete my comment because it isn’t currently fashionable.
Faster Than U
5/11/2021 12:02 PM
bulletbass man
5/11/2021 5:56 PM
The lack of Poc in the sport is a huge issue for the industry. If they aren’t riding bikes they aren’t buying bikes. Seems like a worthwhile investment for the major companies who can only help their bottom line in the future. Especially as demographics of the us are statistically changing.
Trying to bring people of color into your sport isn’t social justice it is good business. Where would mlb, nfl, or nba be without people of color dominating the sports star power. Particularly in markets like Asia and South America (where mtb struggles mightily)
Maybe the only one who is being overtly political about this is you and based on your comment it could be easy to misjudge your intentions and character.
hamncheez2003
5/11/2021 9:14 PM
What counts as POC? I'm half Vietnamese. Am I POC? With "BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled athletes, and Women", its essentially saying we need fewer white an Asian males. All this is nonsense. Is a deaf black woman higher on the victim scale than a gay Black man? What about a transgender hispanic man who has kids and is undocumented? Is there a point system?
What about Asian representation in the NBA? Or Polynesian representation in Tennis? All of this is nonsense.
bulletbass man
5/12/2021 4:00 AM
Why does including others mean you are ignoring your current demographic. Poc includes you my man. Why is trying to be more inclusive a bad thing or a waste of money if it means more sales in the future.
Yao Ming was one of the best things to ever happen to nba from a business standpoint. It blew the Chinese market wide open and it never closed once fans were Introduced to the game. So thanks for making an excellent argument for me there.
None of this is nonsense. Businesses invest in opening new markets all the time. Not only that but since the vast majority of white Americans support causes like this or grow cycling it only helps their image and perception there too. And quite frankly based on the type of comments you post on here and pinkbike I wouldn’t want you riding my bike on the trails. I hear khs has a owner with views more in line of what you think. So buy one of them instead of a trek of trek is so stupid for trying to grow their sport.