About Disability Cycling

 

 

 

British Cycling is recognised by the British Paralympic Association as the UK National Governing Body for Cycle Sport for those with a Disability. British Cycling has a policy of encouraging and supporting the cycling ambitions of anyone with a Disability. Disability Cycle Sport is open to both male and female competitors.

Currently there are four key disability categories under which cyclists are classified. These categories are initially determined by British Cycling. The IPC (International Paralympic Committee) accredit classifiers for international competitions. The Categories are as follows:

• Locomotive (LC).

 

As a rough guide LC riders are defined categories 1 - 4 as follows.

 

LC1) Upper Limb Disability.
LC2) Lower Limb Disability.
LC3) Upper and Lower Limb Disability.
LC4) A more severe form of LC3.

• Cerebral Palsy (CP).

CP Riders a classified in terms of the severity of disability of the individual.
CP's 4 & 3 are required to compete on Bicycles.
CP'S 2 & 1 are required to compete on Trikes.

• Learning Disability (LD).

  

LD riders may compete on Bicycles, Tricycles and Tandems depending on the severity of their disability.

• Visually Impaired (VI).

There is only one classification of VI Rider which is judged on specific eye sight measurements. Such riders (some of whom do in fact ride bicycles) are required to compete in Disability events only on Tandems. The stokers they use are not permitted to have ridden for a National 'able bodied' Team in the past three seasons.

 

With the exception of the VI category, all of the above can, and do compete on Handcycles. Handcycle Competition is also open to those without a Disability. It is however split into four different categories, again depending on the physical disability or otherwise of the individual.

 

The UCI categorises Disabilities slightly differently UCI Disability Definitions >>>>

Domestic Racing in the UK

As can been seen from the above there are a considerable number of classifications in each disability within Cycle Sport. In domestic competition, this often means that there are too few riders within any specific category to make for meaningful competition. To overcome this, racing is run under an index system to determine the overall winner. Riders are given allowances based on World Best times for the distance and type of event ridden. This produces closely fought racing and relevant individual goals.

 

 

Event Calendar

For a list of events, mainly in the UK, which are either run specifically for those with a Disability or include Disability racing, follow the link >>>>

How Can I Get Involved?

If you have a disability and want to get involved in Cycle Sport, please contact Paul West at British Cycling on 0161 274 2021 or paulwest@britishcycling.org.uk - Paul issues a regular newsletter by e-mail which includes news about disability issues and forthcoming events.

GB Cycling Team

A number of cyclists with a disability who have contacted Paul have gone on to compete with the Great Britain Team. The GB Team's World Class programme supports a very successful Disability Paralympic Squad, which is resourced and equipped to the same standard as the remainder of the team's squads.

 

Disability Cycling Co-Ordinator
Name: Neil Smith

E-Mail: neilsmith@btinternet.com