These guidelines were voted in as an amendment to the IFBMA by-laws during CMWC Riga, 2018.

These guidelines were voted in as a living document which may change from time to time to reflect the changing needs and priorities within our community. The adoption of these guidelines also ensures that the organization will be available to aid event organizers in reaching these goals should they have any questions or require clarification.

While these guidelines are only mandated for CMWC races, we strongly encourage any race organizers to follow these standards.

GENDER CATEGORIES

BEST PRACTICE

Use two gender categories for all events, one is “Open”, which is open to folks of all genders, one is “Women/trans/non-binary” which is open to anybody but cis-men.

When qualifying racers for a main race, make sure to include an equal or greater proportion of wtnb racers qualifying from both categories, including a minimum of 15 racers from the women/trans/non-binary category when possible, to ensure that both categories are competitive.

WHY IS THIS A THING?

Traditionally creating categories split along binary lines (i.e. men and women) excludes folks who don’t identify along those binary lines. We’ve seen an increase in the inclusion of trans, non-binary and femme folks in the women’s category, which is better, but can place transmen in the position where they feel they need to out themselves to participate, or makes it seem as though only visibly femme people are allowed within this category. Creating a non-cis or trans specific category also puts trans folks in the position of needing to out themselves in order to register in a category which best represents them.

Creating an “open” rather than a “men’s” category allows folks (including women if they feel like it!) to compete in whichever category they feel most comfortable in, and allows all folks who aren’t cis men to have their own category.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

Gender categories should not be policed or questioned policed. People’s gender identities are extremely personal and it isn’t your place as an organizer to assume anything or so force someone to prove it. In the event that you truly feel like someone has chosen the wrong category by mistake or simply to provoke, you can reach out to them. This should be handled delicately.

PRIZING

BEST PRACTICE

Equal prizing is required for all events, not just the main race.

WHY IS THIS A THING?

Categories within sport are typically based on existing or assumed natural advantages based on gender assigned at birth. A well designed championship race should also reward a competitor based on strategy as much as or more than sheer speed. Gender categories at messenger events exist as a means of promoting the visibility and participation of folks who aren’t cis men more than to provide a category for those deemed ‘naturally’ less able than cis male competitors.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

Sometimes it can be difficult to get more than one of any given prize from sponsors. When appealing to your sponsors, it’s important to explain why you require a second item. In the event that a sponsor is unwilling or unable to produce two prizes of equal value, it is your responsibility as an organizer to subsidize a second prize, or find another sponsor able to provide one.

Bonus points! A really good prize category (one which you can stamp as the *bma prize if you are interested) is a prize for the first person in the women/trans/non-binary category who is a first-time racer (meaning their first championship race, their first alleycat, this is at your discretion). This is a really good use for that one nice prize that you really couldn’t find two of. You would be required to ask all racers within that category if this is their first race on registration, don’t assume anything.

REPRESENTATION

BEST PRACTICE

When promoting a race or posting a recap, include at least 50% images of non-cis men. All results need to include results from both gender categories. When announcing prizes, call the winners of both gender categories at the same time when possible. Within your organizing committees, be sure to include folks who aren’t cis men in meaningful leadership roles, and encourage their visibility as organizers if they are comfortable with it.

WHY IS THIS A THING?

Increasing visibility of non-cis male couriers and racers in the lead-up to an event puts out the message that women, trans and non-binary folks are going to be welcome. The cycling community at large suffers from a lack of visibility of non-cis male racers, and non-cis racers are practically invisible. It can make the difference between a first-time competitor deciding to join or not.

If there simply are no messengers within your community who aren’t cis men, take a second to think about why this is, and reach out to sponsors and other cities for photos.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

If a sponsor only provides images of men with their products, ask them for images which feature women, trans or non-binary riders. If they don’t have any, suggest that they seriously consider that for future promotional material.

CODE OF CONDUCT

BEST PRACTICE

Include a no-tolerance code of conduct for participants within the event. This must include any type of sexism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, racism and generally shitty behaviour of any kind.

This can include (and isn’t limited to) having designated point-people during the event who participants can go to in the event that something happens, ensuring that organizers don’t encourage or reproduce discriminatory behavior, providing gender-neutral bathrooms at courses and party venues, having a clear method of communication (email, phone number) for anyone who is in or who has witnessed a problematic situation.

WHY IS THIS A THING?

Participants need to know that organizers will be responsible to them in the event that they feel unsafe and/or threatened. There are many people who avoid events because of past experiences and trauma. You actions as an organizer have to speak loudly of your commitment to making sure that the states code of conduct is enforced.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND

Keep in mind that our friends can be capable of doing these shitty things. Policing your friends is not easy, but you must be prepared as an organizer to confront the people within your community if they act in a way which doesn’t respect the code of conduct you put in place.

When you’re organizing an event, it’s really difficult to be everywhere you need to be at once. It is best to have someone who isn’t overseeing everything available in the event that something needs to be addressed.