‘How-To’ foster a SafeR Space within your recreational cycling club

The goal of this resource is to support Ontario Cycling (OC) recreational cycling clubs in creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all cyclists. This is with the ultimate hope of increasing club membership diversity. In collaboration with recreational cycling clubs registered with OC and non-member clubs across North America, this guide was created for clubs to begin and/or continue working towards making their events, rides, and overall club culture more welcoming.

The purpose of using the term SafeR Spaces is to acknowledge the fact that safe spaces cannot be guaranteed, and clubs should not advertise themselves as such. Stating your club IS a safe space instead of continuously working towards it being a SafeR Space would inaccurately assume that you can predict and understand members behaviors and lived experiences. Making space to address privilege and identity is hard and often uncomfortable, and it should be every club’s desire to support a SafeR Space to allow this ongoing process to exist.

These recommendations are general and do not claim to support specific equity deserving communities. This guide should be used as a stepping stone for cycling clubs to learn how to foster an environment where respect, safety and open dialogue is encouraged, leading to the creation of SafeR Spaces for all.

Ontario Cycling SafeR Spaces resource – Coming Soon!