![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2-GettyImages-1405389218-1161.jpg\")
\n\t\tCycling UK claim that their list is made up of women from \u2018all walks of life and every corner of the cycling world\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tCycling UK claim that their list is made up of women from \u2018all walks of life and every corner of the cycling world\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
There is something incredibly heartening when a community comes together for trans<\/a> inclusion, and in today\u2019s climate, it\u2019s especially welcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n This week, several women who were winners of Cycling UK 100 Women awards, declined their prizes due to the exclusion of trans women from consideration, with one stating that \u2018cycling is about freedom, connections, and belonging\u2019 and the recognition meant \u2018little\u2019 if it came at \u2018someone else\u2019s expense\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cycling UK claims that this list is made up of women from \u2018all walks of life and every corner of the cycling world\u2019 and that they are \u2018absolutely dedicated to bringing the joy of cycling to everyone\u2019.<\/p>\n But their decision to actively exclude a group of women<\/a> specifically is in stark contradiction to that statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The objections have shown that Cycling UK have gravely misjudged the people they claimed to represent. It baffles me how they can make these claims, when their actions and hollow words show the exact opposite.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n It\u2019s insulting and embarrassing \u2013 but I\u2019m cheered by the solidarity shown by some of the winners.\u00a0<\/p>\n Seeing them stand up for trans women against this decision is an incredible act of allyship, and goes to show that not everyone agrees with the current path many organisations have chosen to go down \u2013 both before and after the Supreme Court Ruling this April<\/a> \u2013 that clarified that \u2018Sex\u2019 in the Equality Act referred to biological sex.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t One particular woman among the winners, Megan Joy Barclay, said on Instagram<\/a> that she always saw awards like this as a \u2018celebration of grassroots and community power\u2019, and underscored her belief that \u2018hateful laws have no place there.\u2019<\/p>\n Megan went on to say that riding bikes was her \u2018safe place in this sometimes devastating world and everyone should be welcome to that experience.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Another recipient of the top 100 women in cycling, Dr Sarah Ruggins, also reacted on Instagram, saying that the Cycling UK committee were denying the \u2018dignity, inclusion and opportunity\u2019 that \u2018trans women and other minorities deserve\u2019. <\/p>\n This is precisely what sport is about, especially on a grassroots level.\u00a0<\/p>\n Participating in sports can literally be life-saving for people, where they are able to exercise, be welcomed and do something they love.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a world where trans people already face exclusion on so many levels<\/a>, such acts of solidarity and allyship are a beautiful reminder that division and exclusion are always a choice we can do our best to reject.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t Research already shows us that trans people\u2019s physical health<\/a> and time spent on physical exercise is a lot lower than the general population, exactly due to fears of discrimination and exclusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n I know this for a fact as someone who was always active in sports growing up. Once I came out as trans, I felt I had no choice but to quit sports, due to fears of exclusion and discrimination.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s only been in recent years where I\u2019ve started participating in women\u2019s community sporting groups, where I have been completely accepted without question. <\/p>\n This has given me great joy, I\u2019ve made friends and been able to look after my physical health better. It means the world to me.<\/p>\n Such a simple act of acceptance doesn\u2019t require anything but a shred of human decency.<\/p>\n I hope this will serve as a powerful example to the UK and beyond, about how acceptance and solidarity should always be at the heart of grassroots sports \u2013 and how it needs to remain as a force of inclusion<\/a>, freedom and expression, instead of falling prey to hate and exclusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n Organisations like Cycling UK play a massive role in making the world a better place for everyone. I hope they will listen to their members who took a stand for inclusion.<\/p>\n If joy for all is the goal of sporting bodies, they need to prove it. Because in the end the only race worth winning is the one towards a kinder and more inclusive world for all. <\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing M.Navarrogriffiths@metro.co.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Share your views in the comments below.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Ugla](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-f893.png\")
\n\t\tOnce I came out as trans, I felt I had no choice but to quit sports (Picture: Ugla Stefania Kristjonudottir Jonsdottir)<\/p>\n![\"Ugla](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1f13-e1725362699140.png\")
\n\t\tI\u2019v recently rediscovered sports as a trans adult (Picture: Ugla Stefan\u00eda Kristj\u00f6nud\u00f3ttir J\u00f3nsd\u00f3ttir)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-1478452646-89c0.jpg\")
\n\t\tA simple act of acceptance doesn\u2019t require anything but a shred of human decency (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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