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Gender Equity
Gender equity in cycling is a growing concern not just in Ontario and Canada, but globally. Statistics from United Nations indicate a significant underrepresentation of women cyclists worldwide, with three to four times more men cycling on roads. (Addressing the Gender Gap in Cycling).
In Ontario, the able-bodied cyclists demographic split between self-identified males and females, is 70-30 – with many of our sports seeing less women every year wanting to participate in organized events. Representation of gender queer folks in cycling is even more stark, with little to no data on riders cycling frequency or participation outside of gender binary (female and male). Further, Transgender cyclists, specifically trans women, face exclusionary and harmfully invasive policies to their participation in cycling events governed by the world cycling body (UCI). Despite these wide-reaching exclusionary policies, there is little to no research or data on gender diverse folks’ participation or experience in cycling to date (Hardwicke, et. al., 2024).
Ontario Cycling takes gender equity seriously and has been working to create community connections. Some of these connections include
Expanding our annual women’s week to a monthly showcase of cyclist across all disciplines, ages and skills
Sharing and promoting clubs who feature rides for anyone who identifies as female.
Collaborating with community members on creating resources and guidelines for clubs to create inclusive activities and events.
We cannot solve this on our own, so we have created a Gender Equity Advisory Committee which consists of staff, community leaders, volunteers, coaches and cyclists, to work on initiatives to help promote cycling in our communities.
For more information, please visit our Women & Girls in Cycling page.
Gender Equity Resources:
LGBTQI2S
Gender Equity Steering Committee
Key initiatives include promoting inclusive programming, encouraging diversity in leadership, developing mentorship and education pathways, and collaborating on campaigns that inspire more women and girls to get involved and stay engaged in the sport. The committee also plays a vital advisory role, helping shape strategies and resources that promote equity, representation, and respect.
Through quarterly meetings and active engagement, the Gender Equity Steering Committee is helping to build a cycling community where everyone—regardless of gender, identity, age, or background—feels welcome and empowered to thrive.
Amy White
Amy White is the Managing Director at Lastig Inc., a unique cycling brand rooted in quality on and off road cycling gear. She is also a coach and director with Attack Racing, a race director and volunteer with London Centennial Wheelers and a director and Bike Marshal Coordinator for the Forest City Road Races. Her background is in public practice as a CPA, CA and is now blending her professional expertise with a love for sport.
Emma Wagenman
Meet Emma Wagenman - a competitive cyclist from Ottawa ON, racing across road, gravel, and cyclocross disciplines. With nearly a decade in the sport and several years of racing on two Ontario-based teams, she brings experience in women's racing that gives her bold ideas of how to improve the space for other women and girls. Out of kit, Emma channels her passion for justice into self-determination negotiations, driven by a firm commitment to equity and human rights. This dedication seamlessly translates into her advocacy for a better cycling community—one that welcomes and uplifts women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.
Jenny Trew
Jenny Trew is a former national team cyclist and high-performance coach with over a decade of experience in Canadian sport. She has guided athletes to success on the world stage, including World Championship, Pan American, and Commonwealth Games medals, while mentoring coaches and advancing athlete development pathways. Currently the Women’s Artistic Program Directorat Gymnastics Canada, Jenny also contributes her expertise as a Chartered Professional Coach and member of the Ontario Cycling Association High Performance Committee. Bilingual in English and French, she is passionate about equity, inclusion, and women’s empowerment in sport, bringing her values of respect, growth, and excellence to every role.
Siobhan Kelly
Siobhan is a lifelong cyclist with experience in high performance racing. She started racing cyclocross with the boys because there wasn’t a girls category at the time, and she’s passionate about sport inclusive and supportive for all.
