H&M once found itself in what can most kindly be described as a PR nightmare – running an ad with a black child modelling a “coolest monkey in the jungle” top. Every time I speak at a DEI conference, I cite this as a classic case of what happens when there’s no one at the top table with the voice or influence to catch a crass mistake before it hits the world.
The UCI might not be in quite the same league, but its new handlebar width restrictions (400 mm minimum, inside spacing capped at 320 mm) feel like another case of blind spots meets box-ticking. When you see the likes of New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black cry foul on Insta you know something is up.
What’s the stated aim of this rule? Safer racing.
What’s the practical impact for women? Ignoring basic biomechanics, dismissing fit science, and making the sport harder and less safe.
Even a casual commuter knows that control stems from a good fit. Shoulder width dictates the most stable position. If you force riders – especially women – onto a setup that’s too wide, you aren’t just unstable, you are uncomfortable and vulnerable. Add to that sore wrists, numb hands and less control.
That’s not amateur conjecture. It’s what fitters and pros like Lorena Wiebes and Ellen van Dijk have been telling the UCI.
Here we are in 2025 and still some governing bodies comply with the idea that ‘women are just small men’.
Rider backlash is coming in – and reasonably so. There’s still time for the UCI to about-face. They may believe they’re putting rider welfare first, but with so many voices saying otherwise, it’s time to listen. If this snowballs into a PR crisis, sponsors will have something to say.
Cycling is on a mission to grow its numbers. That means making the sport accessible – and safe – for everyone, and everyone includes women.
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