Cyclists’ Alliance releases part one of survey results

Part One: Working Conditions

86% of riders think that salaries are too low for the level of commitment.
The number of professional riders with “no salary” has increased from 17% in 2018 to 34% in 2021.
Because of the lack of minimum salary for UCI Women’s Continental Road teams, the wage disparity gap between WWT riders and Continental riders is widening further.

There is a large difference between contractual inclusions of WT teams and Continental teams.
- 94% of WWT riders received medical support within their contract, compared to only 33% of Continental riders.
- 11% of WWT riders received a pension plan vs 0% for Continental riders.

Many riders are also working or studying to support themselves or prepare for life after cycling.
38% are currently completing their studies, either completing high school, university or a vocational course.
39% work a second job in addition to cycling. ⁠24% are working less than 20 hours a week⁠. 15% are working more than 20 hours a week⁠.
⁠14% of survey respondents combine both studying and a second job with cycling.

⁠Riders are less impacted in 2021 compared to 2020 by Covid-19. Riders on Continental teams are being negatively impacted more that riders on WT teams.⁠
- In 2020, 29% had a salary reduction or lost it entirely, but in 2021 only 5% of riders on WT teams had their salary reduced, and 1% of riders on Continental teams lost their salary entirely in 2021 due to the pandemic.⁠
- In 2020, 76% were worried that the pandemic would make it harder to secure a contract in 2021. 7% of riders on Continental teams were unable to secure a contract with a team for this year, and stated Covid-19 as the main reason.
- In 2021, 20% of riders on Continental teams had to cover the costs of Covid testing, while 94% of WWT riders had testing covered by their employment contract.