British Cycling has suspended its policy regarding transgender and non-binary cyclists after Emily Bridges’ unsuccessful bid to compete at the women’s British National Omnium Championships.
Under the organisation’s regulations, Bridges, who came out as transgender in 2020, was initially given the all clear to race in women’s events.
But that was blocked by cycling governing body the UCI, and British Cycling on Friday took the decision to suspend its current policy over transgender riders, which Bridges’ mother likened to her daughter being “dumped by email”.
In a statement, it said: “The British Cycling board of directors voted in favour of an immediate suspension of the current policy pending a full review.
“The review will allow us time for further discussion with all stakeholders, including women and the transgender and non-binary communities as we strive to provide all within our sport with the clarity and understanding they deserve.
“As an organisation, we remain committed to ensuring that transgender and non-binary people are welcomed, supported and celebrated in the cycling community, and the inclusion of these groups within non-competitive activities remains unaffected by the suspension.”
Bridges’ mother Sandy Sullivan said in response to the U-turn: “Dumped by email. We’ve just received this in our inbox. We will be making a statement at some point during the next 24 hours.”
The initial policy change by British Cycling back in January had allowed Bridges, who began hormone therapy last year, to enter women’s races providing her testosterone levels were below five nanomoles per litre in the year leading up to an event.
Her bid to compete at national level was then blocked by the UCI, which stated her licence as a male rider had not been switched.
