Cycling association changes rules for participation of trans women

In future, trans women, trans men and people who were assigned a male gender at birth will be able to register for the programme, according to the British Cycling press release.

The previous "male" competitions will also be merged into the new category. Those whose gender was determined as female at birth can also compete there if they wish. The new "female" category, on the other hand, will only be open to those who were assigned a female gender at birth and trans men who have not yet started hormone treatment.

Debate about trans woman Emily Bridges

The change is British Cycling's response to a debate surrounding trans woman Emily Bridges, who wanted to compete in a women's race. Studies have shown that people who experience puberty as men have a clear performance advantage that cannot be completely mitigated by testosterone suppression, emphasised the association. Previously, trans people were allowed to compete in women's races if they did not exceed a certain testosterone level in the twelve months before a race.

British Cycling is now deviating from the position of the UCI, which allows trans women to participate if their testosterone levels are below a certain level for two years. However, the UCI intends to review its regulations by August.

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Trans people or transgender people are people who do not feel that they belong to the gender they were assigned at birth.

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