The plans, outlined formally in its 'Agenda 2022', were approved by the UCI's management committee 21 June 2018 and will be ratified at its Congress on September 28.
“I am very happy with the approval of Agenda 2022 by the UCI Management Committee," UCI president David Lappartient said. "This document will now serve as a plan of action for the UCI administration during the four coming years."
Equality and the role of women
Lappartient said the plan contains "crucial initiatives for guaranteeing equality between men and women, whether they be riders, Federation employees or any other women involved in our sport.
"It is essential that we all work together for this cause, which is one of my biggest priorities for action."
From the 2019 season onwards, the UCI will implement a strict Code of Conduct that all employees of UCI women's teams must sign or face sanction in accordance with UCI's Code of Ethics. Through this measure, cycling's governing body aims 'to raise awareness of and increase responsibility around the harassment that certain riders may face, including from within their own teams.'
Starting in Innsbruck this year, the UCI will also guarantee equal gender representation during its world championships podium ceremonies where outfits worn by both hosts and hostesses must also be approved by the UCI.
It also plans to get its own house in order regarding gender equality for its administration to guarantee equal, respectful and fair treatment for everyone, particularly regarding recruitment, pay and training opportunities.
The Management Committee also approved equal prize money for men and women in the different overall standings of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup and will result in gender parity for prize money paid by the UCI across all disciplines and all UCI competitions. A women's junior category (17-18) will also be added in 2020.
Tramadol ban
Prone to abuse among the peloton, the UCI will implement a ban on the painkiller Tramadol as early as January 2019 citing health reasons.
The strong analgesic can produce side-effects like dizziness, loss of alertness, drowsiness, or physical dependency and risks of opiod addiction. It has also called on experts to help produce a test to detect a low level of cortisol associated with Tramadol.
Multi-discipline world championships every four years
“This document also contains a totally new concept," the UCI president said. "One event bringing together several UCI World Championships in the same place, at the same time, as part of a festival of cycling that already sounds fantastic.”
A 'true festival of cycling' held every four years in each pre-Olympic year, this event will aim to bring together in one region the world championships for road, MTB (XC/DH/trials/eliminator), track, BMX, BMX Freestyle, Para cycling (road/track), artistic cycling and Gran Fondo.
The UCI says such a world championship event would attract thousands of competitors, officials and journalists.
