USA Cycling and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame announced a new partnership today to highlight the rich history of American competitive cycling and its role in the country’s culture. As the sport’s national governing body, USA Cycling will support the Hall of Fame with recognizing American competitive cyclists and contributors to the sport for their significant achievements.
“Educating current competitors and cycling fans of the traditions, stories, and past heroes of competitive cycling in the U.S. is sure to enrich their love and understanding of our sport,” said Derek Bouchard-Hall, USA Cycling’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “The United States has played an enormous and fundamental role in the development of competitive cycling, and for over a century has produced globally significant cycling champions. We are pleased to work with the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame to ensure these stories are kept alive and inspire generations to come.”
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, located in Davis, Calif., recognizes the career accomplishments of past competitors and contributors to the sport in all disciplines, including road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. The Hall is dedicated to preserving the history of American cycling to educate about the past, as well as to encourage the participation in all levels of the sport and to promote cycling development and fitness. Its museum facility contains an extensive display of antique and contemporary bicycles to illustrate the evolution of the sport and its machines, along with artifacts from many inductees and time periods.
“Given that the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame recognizes and honors the very constituents served by USA Cycling, we are so excited by this emerging affiliation,” said Bob Bowen, President of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. “The story of cycling is very much intertwined with our country’s development over the last 150 years.”
Initial actions within the partnership will include sharing elements of the Hall’s vast historic content with USA Cycling’s membership base, collaborating to expand the number of participants who nominate and select those enshrined by the Hall of Fame, and engaging USA Cycling’s community in fundraising to support the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Longer-term, both USA Cycling and U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame have a goal of periodically holding the Hall’s annual induction ceremony in cycling-centric communities across the country and displaying portions of the memorabilia collection at key cycling events around the country.
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for the Class of 2018 through April 30. Nominees include those who have achieved tremendous success in racing or who have enhanced the sport of cycling through their lifelong efforts, and anyone can submit a nomination. The annual Hall of Fame Induction is held every fall, and since 1987, 154 Americans have been enshrined. For nomination information, eligibility guidelines and submission forms, visit www.usbhof.org/nomination-process.