Beicio Cymru, in collaboration with MB Wales and Project FIAS, has launched the Women’s Offroad Community of Practice (CoP)—an initiative designed to support the development of women’s offroad cycling in Wales. This new community aims to bring together riders, leaders, and advocates to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and foster greater inclusivity within the sport.
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Supporting Inclusivity in MTB
Wales is well established as a premier destination for mountain biking, and efforts are now being made to position it as a leader in gender inclusivity within the sport. The initiative is guided by the FIAS Framework (Fostering Inclusive Action Sports), a research-led approach that focuses on four key areas to address the historical gender imbalance in mountain biking:
• Community Building – Establishing welcoming and confidence-building spaces for women+ riders to progress in the sport.
• Integration in MTB Spaces – Removing barriers in trail centres, events, and retail environments to ensure greater inclusivity.
• Leadership Development – Increasing the representation of women+ in coaching, event organisation, and MTB businesses.
• Cultural Representation – Enhancing the visibility of women+ riders from diverse backgrounds in MTB media and marketing.
A Collaborative Space for Progress
The Women’s Offroad Community of Practice will serve as a platform for discussion, learning, and collaboration among those committed to improving opportunities for women’s offroad cycling in Wales. A series of five sessions will take place throughout 2025, incorporating a mix of online and in-person events, each focusing on a specific theme related to inclusivity and development within the sport.
Scheduled CoP Sessions
CoP 1 – Thursday 27th February (Online, 7-8.30pm)
📌 Introduction to MB Wales and FIAS plans, Regional Champions, and an overview of future CoP sessions.
CoP 2 – Thursday 24th April (Online, 7-8.30pm)
📌 Demystifying Ride Leadership – A discussion featuring women ride leaders and a Q&A on overcoming barriers to leadership roles.
CoP 3 – Friday 23rd May (Hybrid – Bike Park Wales, 9.30am-4.30pm)
📌 FIAS Community Building Toolkit Workshop – A practical session on developing women+ MTB communities, followed by a group ride.
CoP 4 – Thursday 26th June (Online, 7-8.30pm)
📌 Inclusive Events Workshop – Guest speakers and discussions on making MTB events more accessible and welcoming for women+ riders.
CoP 5 – Saturday 26th July (In-person – Afan, Glyncorrwg MTB Centre)
📌 Storytelling and Cultural Representation – A workshop focused on amplifying the voices of women+ in MTB, followed by a group ride.
Who Can Participate?
The Community of Practice is open to all individuals interested in supporting the growth of women’s offroad cycling in Wales. While some sessions will focus on specific groups, such as women’s MTB community leaders, participation is encouraged for anyone who wants to contribute to a more inclusive mountain biking environment.
Further Information
To book sessions head over to the booking page here.
For any questions or to learn more about the initiative, contact:
📩 Maria Moxey (Project FIAS Policy Fellow) – Maria.Moxey@Bristol.ac.uk
📩 Fiona Spotswood (Project FIAS Lead) – Fiona.Spotswood@Bristol.ac.uk
The initiative marks an important step towards fostering a more inclusive and diverse MTB culture in Wales.
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