Code of Conduct

Updated: March 27, 2019

USA Cycling grants membership to individuals and organizations. That membership may be withdrawn or denied by USA Cycling after fair process any time that USA Cycling determines a member or prospective member's conduct is inconsistent with the mission of USA Cycling or the best interest of the sport of cycling and those who participate in it.  In order to assist all members and to better serve the interests of those who participate in cycling, USA Cycling has adopted this Code of Conduct (“Code”).

The standards set forth in the Code are mandatory and must be followed by (1) anyone holding a USA Cycling license including athletes (annual and one-day licensees), coaches, mechanics, officials and race directors; (2) anyone holding a UCI license issued by USA Cycling including athletes, coaches, mechanics, soigneurs, trainers, team doctors, team managers and team directors; (3) USA Cycling Collegiate Conference Directors; (4) USA Cycling Sport Committee members; (5) USA Cycling’s Board of Directors; (6) USA Cycling employees; (7) USA Cycling volunteers; (8) independent contractors in a position of authority over, or in regular contact with athletes; (9) USA Cycling Local Association officers, directors, employees, and volunteers; and (10) USA Cycling Club officers, directors, employees, and volunteers (collectively, “Participants”).

The Code operates in conjunction with the policies, rules and regulations of USA Cycling and with all applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations. Where differences exist, because of local customs, norms, laws and regulations, we require the use of the highest standard of behavior or the most restrictive requirement that applies.

Section 1

Any Participant or prospective Participant may be sanctioned under the racing rules, fined, suspended, denied membership, censured, placed on probation, or expelled from USA Cycling if such Participant violates the provisions of the Code set forth in Section 2 below, or aids, abets or encourages another person to violate any of the provisions of the Code, subject to such Participant’s right to notice and fair process.

All Participants are also subject to the rules, policies, and procedures of the United States Center for Safe Sport (https://uscenterforsafesport.org/), which shall have exclusive authority to adjudicate allegations of SafeSport violations within its jurisdiction. 

Section 2

The following are violations of the Code:

  1. Violation of anti-doping provisions as established by the UCI, WADA, USADA or the USOPC.
  2. Violation of the UCI’s Cycling Regulations ‘Ban on Injections’.
  3. The illegal possession, transportation or distribution of drugs.
  4. The use of illegal drugs or banned performance enhancing techniques.
  5. Providing alcohol or tobacco or other substances to any participant under 21 years of age.
  6. The abuse of alcohol in the presence of an athlete under the age of eighteen (18).
  7. Consumption of alcohol by an athlete under 21 years of age regardless of the legal drinking age established by the current state or country of tenancy.
  8. Excessive alcoholic consumption while on USA Cycling business or drinking of alcohol and then driving while on USA Cycling business.
  9. Any action or inaction considered Prohibited Conduct under USA Cycling’s SafeSport Program.
  10. Any non-consensual physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language or conduct directed towards any person in connection with any USA Cycling-related activity.
  11. Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past or present for (i) any felony, (ii) any offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent to distribute illegal drugs or substances, (iii) crimes involving sexual misconduct.
  12. Any non-consensual sexual contact or advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action.
  13. Discrimination in violation of the USAC Bylaws or the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.
  14. Any act of fraud, deception, or dishonesty in connection with any USA Cycling-related activity.
  15. Any intentional damage to USA Cycling property or to private or public property while at a cycling event or race venue.
  16. Failure to immediately report a violation of this Code to USA Cycling.

Section 3

Alleged violations of the USA Cycling Code of Conduct must be reported to USA Cycling.