Your Ride, Your Membership, Your Choice!
Ontario Cycling is thrilled to announce a game-changing update to our membership structure, launching in 2024. Thanks to valuable feedback from our community, we’re shifting gears to offer more tailored options that cater to every cyclist’s needs.
Here’s the Big News:
- Community Membership: Join the ride with the freedom to cycle in your neighborhood or at club events, backed by robust insurance benefits.
- Challenge Membership: Elevate your experience with access to competitive and regional events, complete with comprehensive coverage.
- Compete Membership: Race at the highest levels with a membership that matches your ambition, including all the benefits of lower tiers.
- UCI Licenses: Take your passion nation-wide or global with a license that’s your ticket to the world stage of cycling events.
- UCI Technical License: For the pivotal players shaping our sport, get the recognition and coverage you deserve.
Why You’ll Love It:
- Customized: Tailor-made memberships that align with your cycling lifestyle.
- Inclusive: Open to all – from the Sunday cyclists to the podium chasers.
- Secure: Ride easy knowing you’re covered with our enhanced insurance options.
For years Ontario Cycling (OC) has had a membership structure focused on either Club Memberships or Race Licenses. As the landscape of cycling has changed in the province, we have recognized the need to reimagine our membership structure in order to become more flexible and inclusive, providing opportunities for cyclists of all levels to join our community.
Based on feedback from OC members, non-members, event organizers and clubs, we are pleased to announce a new membership structure for 2024 that we feel will more accurately reflect our membership’s needs, as well as help keep our sport moving forward.
Below you will find a breakdown of the new membership structure:
COMMUNITY Membership
Formerly the Associate Club Membership (ACM), the Community membership is a more flexible option, most ideal for those looking to ride in their local community, whether that be riding at an OC registered club, in an OC sanctioned Charity Ride/Event, at an OC sanctioned Gran Fondo, or simply on their own. Those participating in intraclub competitive events (host club members only) can also use their Community membership to participate in those events.
Individuals obtaining this membership are not required to be a member of an OC registered club, however, it is certainly recommended for any of our members to join an OC registered club to be able to take advantage of the numerous benefits organized cycling club activities provide.
Purchasers of the Community membership receive several benefits including up to $5M of Personal Liability insurance coverage when participating in an OC sanctioned event. In addition, they will have access to purchase 24/7 accident insurance for either personal training or anytime-on-bike activities including commuting. (*Note: This membership does NOT automatically come with Sport Accident coverage, but the personal training option will provide Sport Accident coverage during OC sanctioned activities.)
The OC Community Membership is recommended for anyone who:
- Rides recreationally or is a cycling commuter.
- Wants to join an OC registered club and partake in their recreational activities (including group rides & skill development programs).
- Is looking to participate in Intraclub (host club members only) events.
- Wishes to participate in OC sanctioned Gran Fondos or Charity Rides.
- And anyone who enjoys training on their own in their community and wants access to Accident Insurance and other OC membership benefits.
CHALLENGE Membership
The Challenge membership is a brand-new level of membership and is ideal for those looking to participate in developmental cycling competitions and activities including interclub races, weekly series events, regional events, and non-championship Ontario Cup and Provincial Championship categories. This membership also includes participation in all Community membership events, such as Club activities, OC Sanctioned Gran Fondos and Charity Rides.
Purchasers of the Challenge membership receive additional benefits including up to $10M of Personal Liability insurance coverage when participating in an OC sanctioned event, and Sport Accident coverage (up to $50,000) for medical expenses incurred because of an injury sustained during an OC sanctioned event. In addition, Challenge membership holders can purchase 24/7 accident insurance for either personal training or anytime-on-bike activities including commuting.
The OC Challenge Membership level is recommended for anyone who:
- Participates in club organized competitive events open to non-host club members including Time Trials, Criteriums, Pursuits, or MTB, Cyclo-Cross or Gravel Races.
- Is interested in participating in OC sanctioned Regional events and competitions.
- Wishes to participate in Youth Development Series events.
- Wishes to race at Ontario Cups or Provincial Championships in our Non-Championship categories.
COMPETE Membership
The Compete membership is our former Provincial Race License (PRL) and is most appropriate for those individuals racing in the highest-level categories in the province, including those participating in the championship categories at Ontario Cups and Provincial Championship events. This membership also applies for participation in Challenge and Community membership events including: Club Activities & Events (Recreational or Competitive), OC sanctioned Gran Fondos and Charity Rides, OC sanctioned weekly series and Youth Development Series events, OC sanctioned regional events and non-championship OCup and Provincial Championship categories.
Purchasers of the Compete membership receive numerous benefits including up to $10M of Personal Liability insurance coverage when participating in an OC sanctioned event, and Sport Accident coverage (up to $50,000) for medical expenses incurred because of an injury sustained during an OC sanctioned event. Compete members have access to purchase 24/7 accident insurance for either personal training or anytime-on-bike activities including commuting.
The OC Challenge Membership level is recommended for anyone who:
- Races at Ontario Cups and Provincial Championship events in championship categories (highest-level categories).
- Plans to race at a National level event in Ontario but NOT in a championship category.
- Wishes to have a vote at Ontario Cycling’s Annual Meeting.
UCI License
OC issues UCI Licenses on behalf of Canada’s nationally recognized sport organization for cycling, Cycling Canada. UCI Licenses are ideal for those looking to participate in events outside the province of Ontario, whether it be in another province or in another country. Sanctioned cycling events across the world (whether they be races, Gran Fondos, Freestyle events, etc.) may require the participant to hold a valid UCI License to participate in the event.
UCI Licenses issued by OC allow the member to participate in ALL events sanctioned by Ontario Cycling (from club level ride to Provincial Championships), as well as participate in events put on by Cycling Canada, the UCI, and other affiliated governing bodies of cycling.
Purchasers of an OC issued UCI License receive multiple benefits including up to $10M of Personal Liability insurance coverage when participating in sanctioned events, and Sport Accident coverage (up to $50,000) for medical expenses incurred because of an injury sustained during an OC sanctioned event. UCI Licenses members also have access to purchase 24/7 accident insurance for either personal training or anytime-on-bike activities including commuting.
A UCI License is recommended for anyone who:
- Races at Ontario Cups and Provincial Championship events in championship categories (highest-level categories).
- Plans to race at a National level event in Ontario.
- Plans to participate in UCI events outside of Ontario and Canada and collects UCI points.
- Wishes to have a vote at Ontario Cycling’s Annual Meeting.
UCI Technical License
OC issues UCI Technical Licenses on behalf of Canada’s nationally recognized sport organization for cycling, Cycling Canada. UCI Technical licenses are primarily for those who participate in the sport at a governance or support level. This includes the roles of Commissaire/Official, Coach, Team Manager, Team Mechanic, Soigneur, Driver, Event Organizers or provincial or national level Board member.
Purchasers of an OC issued UCI License receive several benefits including up to $10M of Personal Liability insurance coverage when participating in sanctioned events, and Sport Accident coverage (up to $50,000) for medical expenses incurred as a result of an injury sustained during an OC sanctioned event. UCI Licenses members also have access to purchase 24/7 accident insurance for either personal training or anytime-on-bike activities including commuting.
A UCI Technical License is recommended for anyone who:
- Actively contributes to the sport as a Commissaire, NCCP Trained or Certified Coach, Team Manager, Mechanic, Soigneur, Driver, Event Organizers or provincial or national level Board member.
- Wishes to have a vote at Ontario Cycling’s Annual Meeting
For direct inquires please contact Chris Baskys Club Relations and Membership Manager: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance coverage does my membership come with?
OC member insurance coverage is limited to “sanctioned activities” meaning the activity has been sanctioned and approved by Ontario Cycling, whether it be a club ride, Gran Fondo or Charity Ride, a competitive event at a club or elsewhere.
Level and access to certain coverages may be dependent on the level of membership you purchase. See below for breakdown of what you may be eligible for:
Up to $5M Personal Liability, No Sport Accident coverage
COMMUNITY Membership
Up to $10M Personal Liability & $50,000 Sport Accident coverage
CHALLENGE Membership
COMPETE Membership
UCI License
UCI Technical License
All membership types are eligible to purchase additional 24/7 (Personal Training or anytime-on-bike) accident coverage for an additional fee.
$27.00 Personal Training
$114.00 Anytime-on-Bike
Do I need to purchase an OC membership for each club I join?
No! If you are planning to join multiple clubs, you may do so using one OC membership. Please note however, that the types of activities you plan to participate in will determine which membership is best for your needs.
What if I need to change my membership type?
Changing your membership is easy. Simply login to your CCN Bikes profile (the one tied to your current membership) and update it through your portal.
What if I don’t have a local club near me? Can I still become a member to access the 24/7 Accident Insurance and other benefits?
Yes! With the new Community membership format, you can become a Community member, and purchase the additional 24/7 Accident Benefits Insurance to cover yourself while personally training or commuting (depending on option chosen.) You can also use that membership to participate in any OC sanctioned Charity Rides or Gran Fondos.
If I plan to race at my local club, what membership is best suited for me?
If you are planning to race at your local club, and the event is for host-club members only, a Community membership is sufficient. If the host club has opened the event to other clubs and OC members, a minimum of a Challenge membership is required. The level of membership you require will mostly depend on what other events/activities you plan to participate in will be. Most event technical guides will also have this information, so please make sure to read through the technical guides of any events you are participating in, so that you are aware of this prior to showing up at an event.
See above membership images for a more detailed breakdown and don’t hesitate to contact our office with any questions.
Can I still apply for membership if my club or team has not registered?
If your club or team has not yet registered with Ontario Cycling, you may still purchase your membership; however only clubs or teams that are registered at that time will be able to be put on your membership card.
Should you decide to go forward with your application, please note that once the club or team is registered, it will be up to each member to update their membership card with the Ontario Cycling office. There is no charge to do this, but if you require an updated print version of your membership card, a $12 processing fee will apply.
What is the average processing time for membership?
Most adult memberships (apart from UCI Licenses) are automatically issued shortly after purchase. UCI License applications and ALL youth applications are reviewed after purchase to ensure all application requirements have been met. This generally takes between 1-2 weeks.
If you need your membership before the 1-2 weeks processing time, a rush processing option is available which prioritizes your membership application in the queue and guarantees less than one week processing. (Assuming no application issues are found!)