Following a nine-month review and consultation, the British Cycling is set to ban transgender women from the female category of its competitions. The new policy – which will be implemented by the end of the year – is said to be “predicated on fairness”, though will now only allow transgender women to compete in an “open category” with men as it now specifies that female races will only be “for those whose sex was assigned female at birth”.
Somewhat ironically, the governing body claimed that it recognizes “the impact the suspension of our policy has had on trans and non-binary people, and we are sorry for the uncertainty and upset that many have felt during this period.”
In the past, British Cycling allowed transgender women to take part in elite female events if they met testosterone-based regulations. But it is now claiming that “research studies indicate that even with the suppression of testosterone, transgender women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage,” said British Cycling. “Our aim in creating our policies has always been to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while at the same time prioritizing fairness of competition.”
Transgender women may still participate in non-competitive recreational and community cycling without restrictions.
Earlier, in March, UK Athletics also banned transgender women from competing in the female category in its competitions and events.
