As reported in Western Standard, the national governing body for sports cycling in England, British Cycling, is banning transgender women from competing in female categories, which will now be open only cyclists who were born as females..The organization also announced the men’s division will be replaced by an open category that includes transgender men, transgender women and non-binary individuals. .“The new policy relates to all competitive activity — any race or event involving timing, ranking or prizes — and will come into force in full by the end of this year,” reports The Daily Mail, adding the changes have not been well received by transgender cyclist, Emily Bridges..Bridges, who set a national junior men's record over a marathon of 25 miles in 2018 before transitioning in 2020, decried the move in a rant on Instagram, calling British Cycling coaches homophobic and comparing organization bosses to the Nazis, declaring: “I'm having to consider an exit plan from this terrible island” adding “it’s a genocide against us.”.She condemned the rule changes, calling British Cycling a “failed organization,” describing the decision as a “violent act,” and suggesting that “elite riders” are influencing policy, likely in reference to a number of female riders who discussed a boycott if Bridges was allowed to race..Bridges’ attack on British Cycling on Instagram was a marathon..“British Cycling has just banned us from racing,” she wrote. “They have no authority to control this conversation anymore. Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there and you couldn't care less.”.“I know a lot of people will think I'm being dramatic. I'm having to consider an exit plan from this terrible island and figure out at what point enough is enough. It terrifies me to exist at the moment. I don't even know if I want to race my bike anymore.”.She turned the drama up a notch, writing the announcement came on the heels of numerous policies across America affecting transgender people. .“This is a violent act,” Bridges wrote. “When the government is expressing admiration towards Ron Desantis' fascist state which kidnaps children and is itching to pass legislation to ban us from public life, this is a violent act.” .“British Cycling are supporting this; they are furthering a genocide against us. Bans from sport is how it starts, look at what is going on in America.”.Bridges’ comments have been slammed by prominent gender critical athletes, who have praised British Cycling's new policy. .Sharron Davies MBE tweeted: “Thank you for at last using the science and asking your athletes. Females have always been worthy of fair sport. And should be at recreational level too. But a good day for common sense and equality of opportunities in sport for women.” .“The former Olympic swimmer retweeted a post that read: ‘Violent’ is what it's felt like to many females in cycling because of the colonization of their sport,” reports The Mail. “And nobody is being banned. This is just about fair competition. It's nothing more than that. Everyone is welcome in cycling as they are welcome in sport across the world.” .British long-distance runner, Mara Yamauchi said on Twitter of Bridges' rant, “All the stuff about genocide and violence — funny how no mention of the 2-3 women killed in the UK EVERY WEEK by men.” .British Cycling is not the only sports organization that has banned transgender women from female categories..“World Athletics, UK Athletics, World Aquatics and British Triathlon are among the governing bodies who have recently banned transgender women from the female category and are moving towards changing their men's category to open,” reports The Mail..“We have always been very clear that this is a challenge far greater than one sport,” British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton told The Mail. “We remain committed to listening to our communities and working with our fellow sporting bodies to monitor changes in the scientific and policy landscape, to ensure that sport is inclusive for all.”
