Group ride guidance: helping you run welcoming and confident rides
Across the country, groups are already helping more people take part in cycling, including women, older riders and people from underrepresented backgrounds.
While most group rides are mixed and shaped by confidence, pace and experience, many groups also offer additional rides to support people who are less represented in cycling. Women-focused and inclusive rides can be a valuable way to help more people feel welcome, build confidence and feel part of a supportive community.
To support you, we’ve updated our guidance to help you plan and promote rides with confidence. The guidance is intended to provide the clarity you need to make decisions that support your riders and reflect your group’s goals.
Understanding the changes
Following the 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of “sex,” we sought legal advice so we can provide clear, up‑to‑date guidance for groups. Our aim is simply to give you the clarity you need to make decisions that best support your riders and reflect your group’s goals.
All groups can continue to offer exactly the same kinds of rides as before, but it is important that ride descriptions reflect the legal advice clearly and accurately.
How to describe your rides
The key change is making sure the wording used to describe a ride matches who is able to take part:
Inclusive:
These terms describe rides open to all, including biological women, trans women and non-binary people.
Women-only or women’s rides:
These terms describe rides that are open only to biological women.
Mixed rides:
These are friendly group rides open to all, often divided by pace or confidence levels.
In all cases, the format, themes and supportive community feel of your rides can remain the same. The key change is the wording used to describe and promote them.
Wording suggestions
Use the table below to make sure your ride descriptions follow the legal advice:
| Type of ride | Legal terminology | Wording you can use |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusive | Rides open to all, including biological women, trans women and non-binary people | A welcoming women‑focused ride open to anyone who wants to join. • An inclusive ride aimed at creating a supportive and welcoming environment for people who may feel underrepresented in cycling. The pace is friendly, the atmosphere is encouraging, and the ride is open to all. • Inclusive rides encouraging participation from underrepresented groups, including women. Some rides focus on women’s cycling issues, but all are open to everyone. |
| Women-only | Biological women only | A supportive women-only confidence building ride • A women only cycling session that focuses on confidence, comfort and enjoying the ride together. |
| Mixed | Open to all | A friendly group ride open to all, with the option to join the pace group that best matches your confidence and experience. • A mixed ability ride that divides into confidence-based groups, offering a supportive experience for both newer and more experienced riders. |
*For the purpose of this guidance, we are using the terminology provided in our legal advice. The section titled ‘wording you can use’ offers suggested phrasing that groups may adopt when describing their rides.
How this guidance applies to your group
Every Cycling UK group contributes to creating safe, supportive and confidence‑building cycling experiences. The expectations around following the wording guidance differ depending on the type of group:
Member Groups
- Because Cycling UK is legally responsible for how these rides are run, Member Groups are required to follow this guidance when describing and promoting rides.
Affiliate Groups
- You remain independent. This guidance is optional, and you can choose how to apply it to your community.
Our goal is simple: to support every group to run joyful, accessible rides where people feel safe, welcome and empowered to enjoy cycling.
We’re here to support you, if you’d like further clarity or have questions, we’re always here to help. You can also find more detail and a full set of FAQs on our website.
Frequently asked questions
Is this guidance about changing our rides or changing how we describe them?
The main change is about how rides are described and promoted. In all cases, groups can continue offering exactly the same kinds of rides but may need to update the wording they use so it reflects the legal advice.
Who is eligible to take part in women-only rides?
Under the legal advice Cycling UK has received, rides described as women-only or women’s rides should be limited to people whose biological sex is female. This means trans women should not be included in these rides. Trans men and non-binary people whose biological sex is female may be included.
Can trans women join women-only rides?
Not if the ride is being described as ‘women-only rides’. However, they can join any ride that is ‘inclusive’.
Can trans men and non-binary people join women-only rides?
If they are biologically female, then yes.
Can we offer a ride designed to support and include trans and non‑binary participants?
Yes. Groups can continue to offer inclusive rides that help trans and non-binary participants feel welcome and supported. The important thing is that the ride is described as inclusive and promoted in line with the guidance.
Can groups still run inclusive rides?
Absolutely. Groups can run rides open to everyone, including those themed around women’s experiences or focused on underrepresented groups.
What if our ride is open to everyone but we want to encourage more women to join?
You can describe these as ‘inclusive’ rides while highlighting that they are supportive and beginner friendly. You might also use ‘women-focused’ if the ride is designed for a women-centred experience but also includes trans women and non-binary participants.
Why are we using the term ‘biological women’?
We are using the terminology set out in our legal advice following the 2025 Supreme Court ruling to explain the guidance as clearly and accurately as possible. We are not asking groups to use that wording in their own publicity. Instead, please refer to the wording examples on this page when describing and promoting rides.
At what point do we need to update our terminology and follow this guidance?
This guidance takes immediate effect. Member Groups should update ride descriptions as soon as they are reasonably able, with the expectation that all rides promoted from this point onwards are described in line with the guidance.
Affiliate Groups are not required to follow the guidance but may wish to review their existing terminology in light of the updated advice.
As a group, are we expected to run women-only, inclusive and mixed rides?
No. Cycling UK is not requiring groups to offer particular types of rides. We encourage groups to run rides that are joyful, inclusive and accessible, and that best meet the needs of their local community.
Do we need to change who can attend our rides?
- For Member Groups, the key requirement is that ride descriptions clearly match who the ride is open to, in line with the guidance.
- For Affiliate Groups, the guidance is advisory, so each group can decide for themselves if they’d like to apply it.
Why can’t we simply let each group decide?
Groups are free to choose the kinds of rides they want to run. Our guidance is only about how those rides are described, to help reduce the risk of legal challenge. Cycling UK is legally responsible for any discrimination issues that arise in Member Groups, so we need to provide consistent guidance to protect both volunteers and the organisation.
Affiliate Groups are independent. This guidance is optional, and groups can decide for themselves if they’d like to apply it. We’ll continue to share guidance and good practice resources.
Will Cycling UK be monitoring Member Groups more closely?
Not routinely. Any oversight would be light touch and aligned with existing audit processes for Member Groups (e.g. in line with our oversight of safeguarding, health and safety etc).
Where can I get more support?
We’re here to help you create rides and activities where everyone feels safe and empowered. If you have any questions or need further information, please fill out our form and we’ll get back to you.