USA Cycling Announces 2017 Membership and Policy Updates
USA Cycling has announced its 2017 policy and operational changes, including fee adjustments, enhanced membership options and rules modifications
“We have numerous changes coming to improve our member experience next year, and we are proud of the progress we are making,” said USA Cycling CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall. “We are providing our membership with a better customer experience and more options, enhancing support for enthusiast cyclists, implementing a comprehensive IT platform overhaul and making rule changes that will improve the racing experience for many of our members next year. And we are doing this without any price increases for most members.”
One of the most noticeable changes members will see is tiered Race and Ride Membership models which offer more options to choose from, allowing members to customize the benefits and support they get from joining USA Cycling.
Membership sales will be conducted on USA Cycling’s newly launched membership IT platform. Over the coming months, additional IT functionality will be introduced, and members will see an entirely new website with substantially upgraded platforms for event registration, event permitting, calendars, race results and rankings, and more by the summer.
This upgrade will provide USA Cycling more flexibility to add enhanced customer products and services, such as reduced pricing on one-day licenses for Ride members and unlimited use of one-day licenses for experienced racers coming this summer.
Pending Board of Directors approval in December, USA Cycling will also introduce multiple rule changes for 2017:
the creation of a women’s category 5 for cyclocross, road and track;
Gran Fondo's can be counted toward upgrading from Category 5 to Category 4
race radios will be reintroduced for select higher category competitors;
professional mountain bike license holders will no longer be required to purchase a UCI license.
USA Cycling is also working hard to support event directors. The race day rider surcharge for traditional racing events will remain at $3.75 and there will be no price increases for most event permits. The Gravel and Gran Fondo surcharge will increase slightly from $3.25 to $3.50, but the Race Director license requirement for such events will be eliminated.
2017 Race and Membership
USA Cycling's updated memberships offers cyclists a range of new options and benefits:
Ride Membership
Ride member is aimed at cycling enthusiasts who take part in a range of recreational events like Gran Fondo's and Gravel Grinders. For $50.00 membership provides you with:
$25,000 supplemental event insurance at fun rides, fondos, and gravel events
24/7 roadside assistance
Limited edition t-shirt
USA Cycling phone pouch and decal
12-month subscription to Bicycling magazine
Sponsor discounts with Volkswagen, Training Peaks, Bike Flights, and more
Support for USA Cycling
Ride+ Membership
For $150.00 membership provides you with the benefits of Ride Membership plus:
Limited edition USA Cycling kit
10% off in the USA Cycling store
Podium Membership
Podium membership is aimed at cyclists who take part in a range of recreational events and race too. For $100 membership provides you with:
Unlimited USA Cycling racing
$25,000 supplemental event insurance at races
$25,000 supplemental event insurance at fun rides, fondos, and gravel events
24/7 roadside assistance
Limited edition t-shirt
USA Cycling phone pouch and decal
12-month subscription to Bicycling magazine
Partner discounts with Volkswagen, Training Peaks, Bike Flights, and more
Support for USA Cycling
Podium Membership+
For $200.00 membership provides you with the benefits of Podium Membership plus:
Limited edition USA Cycling kit
10% off in the USA Cycling store
Summary
USA Cycling's updated memberships offer recreational cyclists some great benefits, especially the additional accidental insurance whilst taking part at fun rides, Gran Fondo's, and Gravel Grinders, and the 24/7 roadside assistance.
For those training for longer distance endurance events, the second benefit could come in really handy, especially if you're stranded for some reason.
Ride Memberships are designed to suit a wide range of cyclists, from weekend warriors, to those who race or might be thinking about trying racing.
This helps support the growth and development of U.S. Gran Fondo's, as it gives riders the ability to choose to race at the front or just enjoy the experience of taking part, achieving that personal goal and the chance of winning prizes too.
With the return of a U.S. 2017 UCI Gran Fondo World Series Championship qualifying event, after a two year absence, at next year's Cheaha Challenge Gran Fondo in Alabama on May 21st 2017, there are exciting times ahead for recreational riders and racers alike at U.S. Gran Fondo's.
2017 USA Cycling Memberships are on sale now at - https://register.usacycling.org/#!/c/pricing
