1. Purpose.  

USA Cycling’s Code of Conduct (“Code”) is intended to advance the mission of USA Cycling, protect the safety and well-being of individuals who associate with USA Cycling, and to ensure that all individuals who associate with USA Cycling conduct themselves with integrity, maintain a high standard of conduct, and promote the Olympic & Paralympic values, spirit, and ideals.  

2. Application. 

This Code applies to all USA Cycling members and anyone holding a license issued by USA Cycling; officers; directors; employees; independent contractors; volunteers; Athlete Advisory Council members; committee members; task force members; Local Association officers, directors, employees and volunteers, Collegiate Program conference directors, coaches, school representatives, and volunteers, registered club officers, directors, employees, members, and volunteers, and anyone else participating in USA Cycling events or activities (collectively, “Affiliated Individuals”).  All such Affiliated Individuals should become familiar with the rules and standards of this Code. 

3. Legal Compliance. 

USA Cycling requires that Affiliated Individuals follow this Code and abide by all applicable USA Cycling policies and procedures; United States federal, state and local law as applicable, including the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act; and foreign law as applicable. Where differences exist, because of local customs, norms, laws and regulations, we require the use of the highest standard of behavior or the most restrictive requirement that applies. 

4. The Code of Conduct 

All Affiliated Individuals must: 

1. Adhere to the anti-doping rules and policies of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). 
2. Adhere to the rules and policies of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, including, but not limited to, the SafeSport Code and USA Cycling’s Safe Sport Program.
3. Comply with the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions and/or the IPC Code of Ethics, as applicable, and commit to promote sport free from manipulation, corrupt conduct, or using or disclosing inside information for any purpose. 
4. Respect and comply with the laws of the state and/or country in which they are training, traveling, or competing. 
5. Be responsible for their own behavior and for reading, understanding, and abiding by all applicable policies of the competitions and events in which they participate.   
6. Respect and abide by all other rules, policies, and procedures of USA Cycling and of the facilities and accommodations they use. 
7. Never engage in discrimination of any kind on whatever grounds, be it race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, language, religion, national origin, or other status. 
8. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by showing respect toward teammates, coaches, competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators at all events and competitions. 
9. Refrain from foul language, violence, and behavior that could reasonably be deemed dishonest, offensive, intentionally malicious, or illegal.   
10. Respect the property of others and not vandalize, damage, or steal any such property.  
11. Refrain from using or authorizing the use of photographs, films, or videos of themselves or another Affiliated Individual in USA Cycling apparel or equipment or the use of the USA Cycling logo for the purpose of trade, without the prior written consent of USA Cycling. 
12. Understand that any act, conduct, or personal appearance, even if not expressly enumerated above, that violates the spirit and intent of this Code, or brings disrespect or dishonor to themself, their fellow athletes, USA Cycling or the United States, is a Code violation. 
13. Understand that, if under the age of 18, their parents or legal guardians may be notified of all reports of misconduct. 
14. Immediately report a violation of this Code to USA Cycling. 

USA Cycling has zero tolerance for retaliatory conduct by any Affiliated Individual against any person who comes forward with a good faith complaint or issue.  Retaliation for reporting in good faith an alleged violation of this Code of Conduct will itself constitute a violation of this Code of Conduct.    

For more information about the definition of retaliation and USA Cycling’s zero tolerance approach to retaliation, please see the USA Cycling Whistleblower Policy. 

6. Resolution of Potential Violations 

USA Cycling takes its obligation to investigate and resolve potential violations of the Code seriously. The Code operates in conjunction with the policies, rules and regulations of USA Cycling and with all applicable U.S. and foreign laws and regulations. All properly filed complaints regarding the violation of the Code will be investigated and resolved in accordance with the USA Cycling’s Grievance Policy or other applicable rules and policies as published and available on USA Cycling’s website. 

All Affiliated Individuals shall have a duty to cooperate with any investigation or resolution under this Code. A failure to cooperate may be a violation of this Code.  

In no event shall USA Cycling deny or threaten to deny an athlete, coach, official, or administrator the opportunity to participate in protected or amateur athletic competition without fair notice and an opportunity to a hearing in accordance with the requirements of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, the USOPC Bylaws and the USA Cycling Grievance Policy. 

7. Resources 

Affiliated Individuals may contact USA Cycling’s General Counsel at legal@usacycling.org with questions or complaints.  Athlete members also may contact the athlete representative(s) to the Board of Directors, the Team USA Athlete’s Commission representatives, or the USA Cycling's Athletes’ Advisory Council. 

Specific to the Olympic and Paralympic Movement: 

Team USA athletes may contact the Athlete Ombuds for independent and confidential advice on a variety of sport related matters, including their rights, applicable rules, policies or processes, and questions related to resolving disputes and grievances. The Athlete Ombuds can also help Team USA athletes connect with legal counsel or mental health resources if needed. All other NGB athletes (i.e., athletes competing domestically at the masters or youth level, recreational athletes, foreign athletes), are welcome to visit the Athlete Ombuds website to review informational resources and should work directly with their NGB to understand additional resources and options available to them.  

EMAIL: ombudsman@usathlete.org  

WEBSITE: www.usathlete.org 

Individuals who wish to report concerns related to this Code of Conduct as it relates to involvement in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement may also submit a report using the USOPC Integrity Portal. The Integrity Portal allows individuals to submit concerns to the USOPC confidentially and/or anonymously. Reports may be made online or by telephone.