'Queer people exist and they deserve a space in the sport' – From rainbow socks to cycling camps, LGBTQ+ cycling is thriving despite fewer opportunities

Josh Jones, founder of ALL IN Racing and ambassador for RCC Racing, has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in competitive cycling. His initiative emerged from personal experiences of feeling out of place within the traditionally masculine and often exclusionary culture of road racing. While cyclo-cross offered a somewhat more accepting environment, Jones identified a broader need for visible queer representation in the sport to foster a sense of belonging and authenticity for LGBTQ+ riders. ALL IN Racing initially gained support from brands like Rapha, which helped promote inclusion by distributing rainbow-striped cycling socks at events such as Clanfield Cross. This gesture symbolised solidarity and acceptance within the cycling community. However, despite early enthusiasm, Jones notes that securing ongoing partnerships has become increasingly challenging, partly due to the financial pressures on the cycling industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and contentious policy decisions, such as British Cycling’s 2022 ruling restricting transgender women’s participation in elite female races. Jones criticises the cycling industry’s inward focus on existing customers, arguing that embracing diversity and inclusion is a more effective strategy to grow the sport. He highlights how welcoming underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+ cyclists, benefits all stakeholders—from brands and teams to clubs and race organisers—by expanding participation and engagement. This perspective underscores the potential for inclusion to drive positive change beyond social justice, extending to the sport’s commercial and competitive vitality. Despite setbacks at the institutional level, grassroots LGBTQ+ cycling communities across the UK are flourishing. Groups such as LDN Riders, Velociposse, Queers on Wheels, and Rainbow Riders in Manchester have seen significant growth, attracting new members and fostering vibrant, supportive environments. These clubs are not only providing safe spaces for queer cyclists but are also reinvigorating local cycling scenes with fresh energy and enthusiasm, demonstrating that inclusion efforts can thrive even amid broader systemic challenges.