What’s Happening in Women’s Professional Cycling and Why We Care

Photo by Marc

2016 is a pivotal year for professional women riders. For the past 50 years, women’s pro-cycling has been overseen by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body for cycling. However, this will be the first year that women’s pro-cycling has an equivalent calendar of events to the men’s field: the Women’s WorldTour. It is one of several strong initiatives from current leaders President Brian Cookson and Tracy Gaudry, the first woman Vice-President, to help improve women’s professional cycling profile.

This is thanks in part to pressure from the Women’s Cycling Association (WCA), an organization created by women pro-cyclists who wanted to create a secure space for women in the sport.

Want to learn more? Sports Basement Berkeley is hosting a screening of Half the Road, and all proceeds will go to the WCA.

For SF Bicycle Coalition members Evelyn Stevens and Sara Headley, who are both professional cyclists, it’s going to be a groundbreaking year. With more opportunities, earnings and media coverage than ever before, this is a huge step forward in addressing ongoing gender imbalances in sports. While there is still more work to be done, it’s the beginning of well-deserved and long-awaited recognition for female athletes. As a program dedicated to connecting more women, trans* and femme (WTF) individuals to biking, we at Women Bike SF see this as a major victory in promoting more women in the bike movement.

2016 marks a turning point for women riders, and there is no better time than now for the WTF community to be biking. Riding a bicycle offers many not only an alternative means of transportation, but also a kind of joy and freedom. At Women Bike SF, we are excited to see changes in the professional women’s cycling world that inspire us to to start riding more and we would we love for you to join us.

Want to learn more on how to get started? Looking to join the community of WTF riders of all shapes and sizes? Join Women Bike SF for a monthly Coffee Hour, meet new and old friends at social events and rides, and share these resources in support of WTF people biking in San Francisco.

Become a member and you'll improve your commute and get discounts at shops across the city.