USA Cycling Announces New Regulations Excluding Transgender Women from Women’s Events

USA Cycling, the national governing body for competitive cycling in the United States, has announced sweeping changes to its athlete eligibility policies, set to take effect September 15, 2025. The new regulations will prohibit transgender women from participating in women’s cycling events at all levels, replacing current protocols with an “open category” and a non-binary category option for sanctioned events. The announcement marks a significant shift in national sports policy and has drawn widespread attention and concern among athletes, advocacy organizations, and the broader LGBTQ+ community .

The changes come as USA Cycling moves to comply with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) mandate and a presidential executive order issued earlier this year. The executive order, referenced as Executive Order 14201, requires national sports governing bodies to adopt a definition of the Women’s Category that excludes transgender women, in alignment with federal interpretations of sex-based eligibility in competitive sports. According to USA Cycling’s official statement, failure to adopt these policies could result in sanctions, including the loss of its status as a recognized governing body under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act .

Under the new rules, transgender women—defined as athletes assigned male at birth who have transitioned—will no longer be eligible to compete in women’s cycling events in the United States. Instead, these athletes will have the option to compete in either the newly created open category, which is “for any individual, irrespective of sex assigned at birth,” or, where available, a non-binary category. This policy applies to all USA Cycling-sanctioned competitive events except select international competitions governed by separate UCI regulations .

The previous version of Policy VII, effective January 1, 2024, will remain in place until September 14, 2025. The new rules were approved by USA Cycling’s Board of Directors on August 6, 2025, and published on September 2, 2025 .

The announcement has prompted immediate and passionate responses from athletes and advocacy groups. Many transgender cyclists and LGBTQ+ organizations have criticized the policy as exclusionary, arguing that it undermines the rights and safety of transgender individuals in sport. A transgender athlete, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, stated: “Outing ourselves for amateur sanctioned racing does not make us feel safe or welcome. This rule change creates an exclusionary environment, sets a dangerous precedent, and opens a Pandora’s box for organized amateur sports with transgender athletes.” The athlete has filed complaints with both the state Attorney General’s office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, seeking an injunction against USA Cycling’s new policy .

Advocacy organizations such as Athlete Ally and the Human Rights Campaign have reiterated calls for policies that balance fairness and inclusion, emphasizing that transgender athletes face unique hurdles and discrimination in sports settings. Many have also raised concerns about the impact of forced disclosure of trans status during registration and competition, citing risks to privacy and safety .

The USA Cycling announcement follows similar moves by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling, which in July 2023 barred transgender women who transitioned after puberty from women’s international events. UCI’s policy has been cited as a model for many national federations, including USA Cycling, as they navigate evolving legal and social expectations regarding sex, gender, and athlete eligibility .

Across other sports, several U.S. national governing bodies have adopted similar restrictions, often citing federal guidance and concerns about competitive fairness. However, critics warn that these policies disproportionately affect transgender and non-binary athletes, reinforcing barriers to participation and representation.

USA Cycling has issued guidance for affected athletes, clarifying that those who no longer qualify for women’s events due to their transgender status may compete in the men’s/open category or, if offered, a non-binary category at sanctioned competitions. The organization states it will process requests for expedited review of athlete eligibility prior to events, but all athletes must comply with the new category assignments starting September 15, 2025 .

Advocates encourage affected athletes to seek support and resources from LGBTQ+ sports organizations, legal advocacy groups, and mental health professionals as they navigate the new landscape.

The USA Cycling decision is poised to have ripple effects across the American sporting landscape. Supporters argue that the changes are necessary to maintain fairness for cisgender women in competition, while critics contend that the regulations undermine efforts to promote inclusion and equal opportunity for all athletes, regardless of gender identity.

As the September 15, 2025, implementation date approaches, the cycling community faces mounting questions about the balance between competitive integrity and the rights of transgender athletes. The ongoing debate reflects broader societal tensions around gender, sport, and inclusion—issues that will continue to shape policy and public discourse in the years ahead.