Competition Regulations

As the governing body for cycling in BC, one of Cycling BC’s primary roles is to support safe, fair, and fun cycling experiences for everyone — from grassroots riders to elite racers.

Sanctioned cycling competitions in BC adhere to the regulations set by Cycling BC, Cycling Canada or the UCI. Cycling Canada issues a companion guide each year that supplements the UCI rules. However, not all cycling race rules apply in the same way at every level of competition.

Cycling BC upholds policies in alignment with the Province of British Columbia, and all events and participants must abide by the viaSport BC Universal Code of Conduct, Cycling BC Safe Sport Policy, and Cycling BC Member Code of Conduct. These documents can be found in the Policies & Guidelines section of our website.

UCI Rules Companion Guide Provincial Policies

At a glance

AAA-sanctioned events, including UCI races, National Championships, and Canada Cups, follow UCI regulations, with Cycling Canada’s Companion Guide providing additional details and guidance.

AA and A-sanctioned events, including Provincial Championships and races with commissaires, use Cycling Canada’s Companion Guide as a reference, following UCI principles, but with some flexibility to fit the provincial context. Please consult the tabs below and the event’s Cycling BC-approved technical guide for complete details.

Grassroots Events, including community competitions and mass-participation/charity rides, are governed by Cycling BC policies to offer greater flexibility, increase accessibility, and create positive introductions to structured activities. Some aspects of our policies leverage Cycling Canada’s Companion Guide and UCI rules as guidance; therefore, please consult the tabs below and the event’s organizer-approved technical documents for complete details.

The 2026 Competition Rules are under review and will be published on December 15th, 2025.

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 may be subject to fines if they dispose of waste or other objects outside the equipment pit zone or any other organized waste zone, or fail to return waste to team or organization staff or collect it. Disposing of waste or other objects carelessly or dangerously (e.g., a bottle or other object remaining or bouncing back on the track, thrown directly or with excessive force at a spectator, causing a dangerous manoeuvre by another rider, causing a spectator to move onto the track).	E	E	E	E	E
1.3.018 Tyre Width—The wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 700 mm maximum and 550 mm minimum, including the tyre. For the cyclo-cross, 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-sanction events and enforcing at AA-sanctioned events (Provincial Championships). However, in the spirit of fairness, we recommend that all athletes in Open/Elite categories ensure their tyres are compliant, regardless of the event’s sanctioning level.	G	G	G	E	E
5.1.001 N) Mtn. Bikes—The use of a mountain bike will be allowed in some cyclo-cross 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 he retraces his 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 cyclo-cross races. Nevertheless, a rider may keep and use food or beverages which they carry on their bikes or in their outfits.	G	G	E	E	E
5.1.062.1 P) Feeding—Feeding is permitted in the pit zone for all ages if the temperature is high, judged and announced by the PCP Commissaire at 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 the 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 that riders may not hold on to the pole or the 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 which 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 he has dropped out of the race. Fines or penalties may apply.	G	G	E	E	E

Grammar edits made August 29th, 2025.

This summary is under construction. In the meantime, please review the following resources:

UCI Mountain Bike regulations (Click Here)
Cycling Canada’s Canada Cup Mountain Bike Regulations (Click Here – Published May 2025).

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.

Coach Plates: As of January 1, 2024, individuals attending Downhill Mountain Bike Races sanctioned by Cycling BC in the province of British Columbia who wish to access coaching privileges that support the education, development,
and safety of event competitors must hold a UCI Technical COACH license credentials as per the cyclingbc.net/coachplate policy.

Timing Systems during Practice: As of June 1st, 2025, by the standard practice accepted at the World Cup level, accredited Coaches associated with affiliated Cycling BC clubs or teams in good standing may use personal timing systems (e.g., Free Lap) during practice. Transponders can only be placed by an accredited coach (with a coach plate) and must be positioned under or outside the race tape to avoid impeding athletes on the track. Transponders must be removed from the course before the start of the competition. Coaches must disclose their intent to use such a system during practice with the Event Organizer and/or Head Commissaire before or during the Manager’s Meeting and/or the start of practice (whichever is first in the run of show).

This summary is under construction. In the meantime, please consult Event-Specific Technical Guides.

UCI, Cycling Canada, and Cycling BC rules are subject to change and may be updated at any time.

This page was last updated (formatting only) on October 29th, 2025