Competition Regulations
One of Cycling BC’s primary roles as a provincial affiliate of Cycling Canada, which is affiliated with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), is to support safe, fair, and fun cycling experiences by ensuring that cycling competitions at the provincial level adhere to the regulations set by Cycling Canada and the UCI. Cycling Canada issues a companion guide each year that is ancillary to the UCI rules. We have linked to both resources below.
The Cycling Canada companion guide and UCI rules apply to AA-level sanctioned events (e.g. Provincial Championships, BC Cup) and AAA-level sanctioned events (e.g. National Championships, Canada Cup). Events sanctioned at other levels (e.g. A-level, Grassroots, Mass Participation) often use the companion guide and UCI rules as guidelines but may operate under more flexibility or modified formats to foster participation and learning.
Please note that both the Cycling Canada companion guide and the UCI rules are dynamic reference sources and could be updated at any time during the season.
The information under the tabbed sections below summarizes the most relevant rules to our membership and how they will be enforced.
1.2.080 Fairness – All licence holders shall, in whatever capacity, participate in cycling races in a sporting and fair manner. They shall look to contribute fairly to the sporting success of the race.
1.2.081 Sportingness—Riders shall defend their chances sportingly. Any collusion or behaviour likely to falsify or go against the interests of the competition shall be forbidden.
1.2.082 Caution – Riders shall act with utmost caution. They shall be held responsible for any accidents that they cause. In how they behave in the race, they shall observe the legislation of the country where the race occurs.
1.1.008 Licenses—The licence is valid for one year, from 1 January to 31 December, in all countries where there is a UCI member national federation.
1.3.047 Affiliated Clothing – Riders for the club shall wear uniform clothing complying exactly with that described in the notification referred to in article 1.3.046. Unless specifically provided for, no rider shall be permitted to ride in the colours of any association or company other than those of the club given on their licence.
- Following a non-enforcement period, Cycling BC will enforce UCI rule 1.3.047 as of January 1st, 2025. Therefore, members participating in sanctioned competitions must wear team clothing that matches the club/team/business listed on their license. Independent riders must wear unmarked clothing.
- Athletes who compete for organizations outside British Columbia must contact membership@cyclingbc.net and provide proof of their club/team/business’s good standing with the national governing body and a letter for team staff confirming the roster.
- Non-affiliated organizations cannot be listed on start lists, race results, or be acknowledged at event awards. Racers are not permitted to compete in the branded clothing of non-affiliated organizations.
1.1.048-50 Race Officials – Commissaires, individually and/or in a panel, shall direct the sporting aspects of cycling events and ensure that the event is conducted according to the regulations. They shall, in particular, ensure that the rules specific to a race, how it is conducted, and all technical provisions relating thereto comply strictly with the applicable provisions of the regulations. Commissaires shall record breaches of the rules and pronounce the foreseen penalties, … and (1.1.049) shall apply and/or confirm the penalties imposed. (1.1.050) Each commissaire shall act neutrally and independently. They may in no way be involved in the organization of the race. They shall immediately decline their appointment if they know of any aspect that could doubt their neutrality.
1.2.129 Rule Enforcement – Moreover, each of the commissaires shall be individually entitled to take the following measures:
- to refuse to allow riders to start who do not comply with the regulations or who are manifestly not in any condition to participate in the race;
- to give warnings and to inflict an admonition;
- to immediately remove from the competition a rider who commits a serious fault, who is manifestly not in any condition to continue the competition, who has dropped so far behind as not to be able to catch up again or who constitutes a danger to other persons
1.3.006 Video Cameras on Bike and Body – Onboard video recording devices (cameras) are permitted in road, cyclocross, and velodrome events provided they are “affixed [to the bike] in a manner that ensures it is not susceptible of inadvertently dismounting or is non-removable.” However, video recording devices are not permitted in any cycling discipline when attached to the helmet or body (i.e., chest mount) (view MTN BIKE tab for additional information). VIEW IMAGE
1.1.033 New Canadians – All licence-holders shall be assigned the sporting nationality corresponding to their nationality, regardless of the national federation that issues the licence. The sporting nationality shall be assigned upon issuance of the first licence. A rider holding multiple nationalities must choose between them when first applying for a licence. A stateless licence holder shall be assigned the sporting nationality of the country where they have resided for at least five years. For any cycling event where a rider represents their national team, they may only be selected by the federation of their sporting nationality. A rider shall be subject to the regulations and disciplinary procedures of the national federation of their nationality in all matters concerning their selection for the national team. According to this article, a rider recognized as a refugee in their country of residence (by the relevant state authorities or the UNHCR) may choose between the sporting nationality corresponding to their nationality or be classified as a “refugee” for sporting nationality. In such a case, the rider shall be entitled to compete in events with the participation of national teams when provided for under the UCI Regulations (e.g., participation rules and/or qualification systems).
1.2.028 N) Provincial Championships – This competition is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, landed immigrants, and individuals with refugee status in all categories, including UCI. Proof of citizenship status (passport, permanent resident card, landed immigrant status, or refugee status papers) may be required.
- Only Canadian citizens eligible to race with Canadian as their UCI nationality will have access to the Canadian Champion title, podium, medal, and UCI points.
- Prize money (where applicable) will be based on the order of finish at the National Championships, regardless of citizenship or nationality.
- Should a non-citizen (permanent resident, landed immigrant or individual with refugee status) place amongst the top three overall finishers in the race category, a podium presentation will take place based on the order of finish of the race and a second podium. A presentation based on the National Championships results of eligible Canadian citizens will follow.
- The Provincial Championships are the responsibility of the organizing province. Provinces must organize their championships according to the distances and regulations adopted for the National Championships.
1.2.028 P) Provincial Championships – Proof of BC residence and a Cycling BC membership are required to earn a Provincial Championship Jersey. Should a non-Cycling BC member place amongst the top three overall finishers in a Provincial Championship race category, a podium presentation will take place based on the order of finish of the race and a second podium presentation based on the Provincial Championships results of eligible Cycling BC member will follow. BC Provincial Champion jersey must be worn on the race run and podium.
Legend
- G = Guideline
- E = Enforced
- N) = National Rule by Cycling Canada Companion Guide
- P) = Provincial Note by Cycling BC
- MP = Mass Participation
- GR = Grassroots
- A = Local, AA = Provincial, AAA = National
| Regulations (UCI Cyclocross Chapter) | MP | GR | A | AA | AAA |
| 5.1.017 Course length – The course must form a closed circuit of a minimum length of 2.5 km and a maximum of 3.5 km, of which at least 90% shall be ridable. | G | G | E | E | E |
| 5.1.018 Course width – The course must be at least 3 meters wide throughout and clearly marked and protected on both sides. | G | G | G | E | E |
| 5.6.004.3 Number – Body number, shoulder number, bicycle number or frame number modified or not positioned in accordance with the regulations. | E | E | E | E | E |
| 5.6.004.20 Garbage – Rider or team staff disposing of waste or other objects outside of equipment pit zone or outside any other organized waste zone or waste not returned to team or organization staff or not collected by team staff. Disposing of waste or other objects in a careless or dangerous manner (e.g. bottle or other object remaining or bouncing back on the track, thrown directly or with excessive force at spectator, causing dangerous manoeuvre by other rider, causing spectator to move onto the track). | E | E | E | E | E |
| 1.3.018 Tyre Width—The bicycle’s wheels, including the tyre, may vary in diameter between 700 mm maximum and 550 mm minimum. For cyclocross, the width of the tyre (measured between the widest parts) shall not exceed 33 mm, and it may not incorporate any form of spikes or studs.
We will be checking tire widths throughout the season at A-sanctioned events and enforcing them at AA-sanctioned events (Provincial Championships). However, in the spirit of fairness, we recommend that all athletes in the Open/Elite categories ensure their tyres comply regardless of the event sanctioning level. |
G | G | G | E | E |
| 5.1.001 N) Mtn. Bikes—Mountain bikes will be allowed in some cyclocross competitions and, in some cases, for specified categories only. | Mtn. Bikes are allowed, except for AA and AAA events. | E | E | ||
| 5.1.039 Pit Zone – Equipment changes must be carried out within the confines of the pit lane and at the same point. A rider who has passed the end of the pit area must continue to the following pit area for any bicycle or wheel change. A rider who is still in the racing lane may enter the pit lane as long as they retrace their route in the racing lane and enters the other lane at its start without obstructing other competitors. | G | G | E | E | E |
| 5.1.062 Feeding – The act of handing out food or drinks is not allowed during cyclocross races. Nevertheless, a rider may keep and use food or drinks which they carry on their bikes or in their outfits | G | G | E | E | E |
| 5.1.062.1 P) Feeding—If the temperature is high, feeding is permitted in the pit zone for all ages, judged and announced by the PCP Commissaire at the race start. | E | E | E | E | E |
| 5.1.062.2 P) Feeding Youth—In the spirit of fairness and health, feeding is permitted in the pit zone for U13/U15/U17 categories regardless of the temperature during non-AAA-sanctioned cyclocross races. Racers must stop and put a foot down to take necessary refreshment that helps them complete their race distance. | All event types except AAA | ||||
| 5.1.018 U-Turn—U-turns on the course shall be installed and protected so riders may not hold on to the pole or barrier in the centre of the U-turns. | G | G | E | E | E |
| 5.1.051 80% Rule—Lapped riders must complete the lap during which they were lapped and leave the event via an exit located before the finishing straight or in the “80%” zone as described in article 5.1.052 if that rule applies. They will be listed in the results in the order in which they are pulled out of the race, plus the number of laps that have not been completed. | All athletes are allowed to finish their race, except for AA and AAA events. | E | E | ||
| 1.3.080 N) Did Not Finish—A rider must inform a commissaire that they have dropped out of the race. Fines or penalties may apply. | G | G | E | E | E |
This summary is under construction. In the meantime, click here to view the UCI BMX regulations.
This summary is under construction. In the meantime, click here to view the UCI Track regulations.
This summary is under construction. In the meantime, click here to view the UCI Mountain Bike regulations.
4.1.042 Helmet Cameras in Mtn Bike—Cameras are not permitted during the cross-country finals, as well as the qualifying and final rounds in Downhill, Four-Cross, and Cross-country Eliminator events. Riders are responsible for securing the cameras on the bike or on the visor/peak of the helmet to avoid any danger. The UCI can decide to allow a camera during the final, but only for the use of the TV production company.
4.1.042 P) Visor Cameras in British Columbia—As of January 1st, 2025, Cycling BC mandates that cameras be mounted on the top of the flexible visor to limit the risk of damage to a rider’s eyes and face in the event of an accident. Cameras cannot be mounted on the underside of the visor. In British Columbia, landowners facilitating events (resorts) reserve the right to limit the use of cameras further and may require additional waivers. VIEW IMAGE.
This summary is under construction. In the meantime, click here to view the UCI Road regulations.
Last edited September 10th, 2024