Cannondale and EF (Education First) Pro Cycling are starting cycling programs at Tribal (TCU) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). In 2021, they will partner with USA Cycling for a three-year commitment and start co-ed programs at one HBCU and one TCU.
“As the dialogue about racial equality came to a head in the US, we listened, we learned, and we looked for ways we could make a lasting impact and provide access to the sport of cycling to young Black and Indigenous people,” said Dennis Kim, Vice President of Marketing for Cycling Sports Group. “It was important to Cannondale and EF that this was a multi-year commitment to work with these schools to help grow participation.”
The group plans to start fostering inclusion, diversity, and adventure with the programs and will help with equipment, funding, and mentorship. EF Pro Cycling is a pro road cycling team and focus will likely start there, but Cannondale says they will broaden the program over the years and hope to “eventually support all disciplines of cycling at the collegiate level.”
“We believe that cycling is for everyone. Yet, in reality, not everyone feels welcome or has access today,” said Mary Wittenberg, EF Pro Cycling President. “We want to help increase diversity in our sport, starting with racial diversity in cycling in the USA. Success will require a comprehensive approach across the industry, so we turned to USA Cycling to talk about how we could best target our energies in concert with others looking to help from grade school to masters-age athletes.”
Leaders at colleges and universities who are interested should reach out to Liz Kollar at [email protected].
