Adventure Cycling Association

Adventure Cycling Association believes in the power of bicycle travel to open minds and change the way the world explores. We envision a future where this organization draws staff, tour leaders, members, board members, and riders from the whole of our society.

For this to occur, bicycle travel has to be available for everyone. We acknowledge that systemic racism and sexism impact the ability of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ peoples to travel by bicycle safely.

We take ownership of the fact that Adventure Cycling is new to this conversation and that we have not shown up on these issues in the past. As an organization, we have a lot of work to do to support, empower, and create safe spaces for underrepresented communities. We are taking action to build an equitable bicycling community and ask for support from our members and followers in our diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts.

We are committed to listening to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized peoples and understanding the systems contributing to oppression while also working to provide more resources and support for these communities.

Our beginning steps focus on widening the experience of bike travel for all, including:

All of the Adventure Cycling Association staff members have gone through comprehensive DEIJ training.

• We have enlisted BIPOC and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) consultants to help us evaluate our policies and review communications, routes, and educational resources.
• We have formed a DEIJ working group who created an Operational Improvement Plan that focuses on dismantling white supremacy at the organization.
• The Adventure Council was lauched, which acts as the voice of underrepresented riders in the cycling industry to drive program initiatives of the organization that remove barriers for all emerging riders.
• We are making connections with local communities and building partnerships with organizations and individuals from marginalized communities who want to inspire and empower others to bike travel.
• In our print and digital publications, we are sharing personal stories from riders who don’t typically get the spotlight but who are important mentors, leaders, and exemplars for our entire community.
• With our Adventure Grants program, we provide funding to impactful non-profit organizations nationwide for projects that facilitate bike travel access and enhance the cycling experience for those who may face barriers.