Updated: NOVEMBER 1, 2024
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:
5. Reporting Obligations
The Code is intended to be comprehensive and easily understood but is not exhaustive or complete. No code of conduct can address every situation, nor can it take the place of good judgment and integrity. USA Cycling will support all efforts to comply with this Code.
Participants have an obligation to report potential or actual violations of this Code to USA Cycling’s General Counsel.
General Counsel: legal@usacycling.org
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.
Website: usopc.ethicspoint.com