The UCI is the latest part of the cycling world to reflect on the killing of George Floyd, the black American man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck as he struggled for air.
Some major bike brands have come under pressure in the US
after their bikes were used as offensive and defensive tactical weapons by some
police forces in clashes with Black Lives Matter protestors since Floyd’s
death.
Fuji bikes has suspended its supply of bikes to police forces saying its bikes were being used by the police in a way the company never intended.
Specialized has made it clear it does not supply bikes to any US police forces, adding it was "horrified" to see bikes being used in the way they were.
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Trek has made a lengthy statement and condemned the killing of Floyd but has stopped short of saying it would suspend its supply of bikes to the police.
Its bikes, through no fault of the company, have been
used in a very offensive way by some police officers and the company has come
under considerable pressure from some members of the public on social media.
The UCI, clearly sensing the scale of the killing of
George Floyd and the issues relating to racism it has raised, has issue a
lengthy statement saying cycling must be “accessible
at all levels and in all its forms” across the world.
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“While the death
of George Floyd has resulted in a wave of indignation worldwide, riders’
testimonies explaining they have been subject to racism because they have black
skin sends us a message concerning our responsibilities,” it said.
The UCI added despite
its diversity efforts cycling should not remain “strongly tied to the West and
is still predominantly practiced in countries and by populations that are
relatively economically privileged”.
It was
committed to diversity, which was enshrined it its values, with 67 nations
competing in last year’s road Worlds in Yorkshire and the 2025 championships
set to be held in Africa for the first time in the UCI’s 120-history.
“Nevertheless, despite these figures, we know that not
all nations are equally equipped to accompany riders to the highest level and
enable them to reach a professional level in cycling,” the UCI said.
“That
is why the UCI steps in at the foundations, with young riders and people
working in the sport,” the UCI added, explaining it had already been bringing
riders from all over the world to its cycling centre of excellence in
Switzerland.
“In
line with our federation’s roadmap, the Agenda 2022, in 2019 we supported more
than 120 projects implemented by national federations and Continental confederations
as part of the UCI Solidarity programme, for a total amount of 2 million Swiss
francs,” it explained.
Last year, the
UCI allocated a global amount of 5 million Swiss francs for actions in favour
of training and the development of cycling in the world.
“This
income enables the UCI to contribute to the diversity in our sport. So that
cycling is open to everyone, regardless of their origins. Because the rainbow
needs all its colours.”
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