British Cycling to ban transgender women from competing in female category

British Cycling is set to ban transgender women from competing in the female category following a nine month review and consultation. 

A new open category will be created which will include all cis male athletes and all transgender athletes, the female category will only be “for those whose sex was assigned female at birth.” British Cycling’s transgender policy had previously allowed transgender women to compete in the female category if they could demonstrate their testosterone levels had been below the required threshold for the required number of months. 

The new policy, which will be introduced by the end of the year, will mean Emily Bridges will have to compete in the open category as she will be barred from the female category going forward. British Cycling said “Research studies indicate that even with the suppression of testosterone, transgender women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage. Our aim in creating our policies has always been to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while at the same time prioritising fairness of competition. We recognise 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.”

The British Cycling decision follows similar policy changes in triathlon, athletics and both codes of rugby.