Three schools help pave the way to diversify cycling through an intrepid program.
In the fall of 2020, three cycling power brokers came together for a series of discussions on diversity in the cycling community.
Through this process, Cannondale, one of the largest manufacturers of bicycles, EF Education-NIPPO Pro Cycling, one of the top professional teams, and USA Cycling (USAC), the national organizing body, collectively decided that starting at the collegiate level was the best way to bring more racial diversity to the sport.
Together, the trio this week unveiled a program called Cycling is for Everyone, putting bikes and money behind three new cycling teams at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs).
This program is committed to 3 years, but it may go even further depending on need and the status of each team in the future.
‘Cycling is for Everyone’ Schools
Thanks to these grants, the first TCU cycling programs and the first women’s HBCU cycling program will launch this month.
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and Navajo Technical University (NTU) will pave the way for collegiate cycling amongst the Indigenous community. Johnson C. Smith University (JSU) will be the first women’s cycling team at any HBCU and the first in the institution’s 154-year history.
To put that in context, there are already 215 existing club and varsity collegiate cycling programs in the U.S., many of which have been around for decades. These three teams will open the door of cycling to new communities as well as strengthen the schools’ ability to recruit, inspire, and develop leadership skills amongst its students.
“We wanted to offer something new for the students,” said George LaFrance, athletic director at NTU.
“Before this team, we only offered rodeo, archery, and cross-country. All our collegiate athletes get scholarships, so as long as the cycling team keeps a 2.5 GPA or higher, they will as well. This puts education first and competition second.”
Program Inspiration
When St. Augustine’s University created the first HBCU cycling team in early 2020, Cannondale, EF Pro Cycling, and USA Cycling recognized they also had an opportunity to support DEI efforts in the sport.
“Providing access to Indigenous and Black communities is one way we can bring greater diversity to cycling,” said Jonathan Geran, Cannondale global director of sports marketing. “These teams will inspire young Black and Indigenous riders, and we look forward to supporting this historic journey.”
The three schools will receive support including administrative assistance, equipment, finances, mentorship, coaching, and technical guidance. Teams will include a mix of varsity and clubs, focused on varied disciplines.
IAIA will have co-ed gravel and mountain bike teams, JSU will have women’s road, cyclocross, and gravel teams, and NTU will have co-ed club and varsity mountain bike and gravel teams.
Grant Background
A selection committee comprising Cannondale, EF Cycling, and a USA Cycling DEI Task Force designated the grant recipients following an application process open to any HBCU and TCU in the country.
The grant application focused on a few key areas: student interest, anticipated participation, and existing athletic program infrastructure to ensure long-term growth potential.
“We were having conversations for most of last year on how to make the biggest impact. Through these, we learned that representation really matters,” Geran said.
“People need to associate with what they see. I don’t think cycling, for the most part, actively excluded people from riding, but we had to think differently.”