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Sean Weide reports from the Local Association Summit in Colorado Springs
Local Association Summit
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Colorado Springs, Colo.
State of USA Cycling
Steve Johnson, CEO
Benchmarks in 2007: record number of license sales, number of events and clubs, record world championship medal count.
Currently have 63,000 members (new record) and more than 1,400 coaches (record)
For the first time, USA Cycling is advertising in national publications by taking advantage of its 501-3C designation. An advertisement in Sports Illustrated was seen by 2.2 million subscribers.
USA Cycling will publish its first annual report this year.
The U.S. is second behind Belgium in the number of international (UCI) cyclocross races.
After nearly moving its headquarters to Ogden, Utah, USA Cycling will move to new office space in Colorado Springs in late January. It is a former strip mall that includes 26,000 square feet and the building’s renovation was paid for, in part, by a $4 million donation.
USA Cycling Member Demographics
USA Cycling members are (in descending order of total numbers), primarily made up of road riders, then mountain bike, collegiate, BMX and pro.
Member comparisons from 2002 to 2008
Females: Up from 5,000 to 10,000 today.
Juniors: Up from 2,300 in 2002 to 4,500 today.
Masters 35+: Up from 15,000 to 35,000 today.
Insurance & Risk Management
Todd Sowl, Chief Financial Officer
All USA Cycling clubs are able to purchase general liability insurance, but fewer than 10 percent do. It is very inexpensive and it is a 24/7 blanket policy.
USA Cycling permits more than 600,000 race days each year.
Beginning immediately, waivers must be kept for 10 years. The reason for this is that different states have different statutes of limitations, particularly when it comes to riders who are considered “minors.”
Waivers should always be filled out completely and correctly. Volunteers must also sign a waiver.
In 2006, USA Cycling paid out 90 liability claims totaling $312,000.
In 2007, USA Cycling paid out 132 liability claims totaling $499,000.
In 2008, claims are tracking to total more than $700,000.
Because of this, the annual license fee will likely rise from $60 to $70 in 2009.
Website Improvements
Bill Griffin, IT Manager
At the peak of the cycling season in 2008, about 11,000 unique visitors a day were going to USACycling.org. Currently, that number is about 5,000. The new “My Page” launched on Nov. 1. More upgrades are yet to come, particularly in the area of “results and rankings.”
Percentage of USA Cycling members who renewed their licenses online:
2008: 86 percent
2007: 82 percent
2006: 79 percent
2005: 74 percent
Beginning Jan. 1 2009, members will be able to purchase a one-day license on-line by linking to an event. The rider will be able to print off a one-day authorization to ride form (that only allows them to race in their proper category – men’s Cat. V, women’s Cat. IV or Masters Open). The rider will still have to complete and sign a waiver at the race. The promoter will be able to download a database of purchased one-day. Local associations will receive a list of one-day license applicants who can then be contacted to possibly become annual license holders.
EnCYCLINGpedia, a new part of USACycling.org, will launch Dec. 1. It will provide educational resources to website visitors and be a continuing project to grow the library with quality information.
Membership Department Update
Theresa Johnson, Vice President of Member Services
Membership numbers:
63,129 for 2008, compared to 61,729 in 2007.
Male: 86 percent | Female: 14 percent
Breakdown:
USPRO: 371 to 347 in 2007
Mechanics: 203 to 196 in 2007
Coaches: 1,451 to 1478 in 2007
International: 2,536 to 2,508 in 2007
Officials: 2,205 to 2,219 in 2007
Club Numbers: 1,618 to 1,352 in 2007
Note:
Sixty-eight percent of all current license holders are renewals from 2007.
Seventy-seven percent of all clubs are renewals from 2007.
Event numbers:
There were two fewer events in 2008 than in 2007.
Local Association Payouts:
In 2008, $374,797 was paid out to 34 local associations.
In 2007, $335,815 paid out to 31 local associations.
A membership survey was conducted, which drew 4,000 respondents. The results of the 33-page questionnaire will be forwarded to local associations.
Questions will be solicited for surveys in 2009 for the officials, promoters and non-racing members.
Results and Rankings Program Re-Write
Andrea Brunelli, Results & Rankings Coordinator
Riders will be ranked within their state (not by local association), by category, then by age. There is no minimum number of races in order to receive ranking points. However, the more races you do, the better your ranking (though only your top 10 results are used to make the calculations). Only professionals will be ranked nationally.
The system is not based on the number of racers in the event. It is based solely on the category of the event, i.e., UCI/Pro Tour, NRC Tiered 1/National Championships, NRC Tiered 2, NRC Tiered 3, State/Regional Championships, Category A, Category B, etc.
Events will have an event value level. Different levels of racing will only count riders so deep (points will be awarded for placing). Winning a Category C event is worth 20 points. (Points for Category C events go five deep.) Rankings expire Dec. 31st of each year.
(Note: USA Cycling is currently weighing whether to be able to do regional or national rankings, because of the interest level gauged at the LA Summit itself. They are also gauging whether the results should also consider the number of competitors in the race, and not necessarily just the category of the event.)
National Events
Tom Vinson, National Events Director
The National Race Calendar (NRC) bid process was opened earlier (July 15) and closed later (Sept. 15) this year. Surveys went to the chief referee and other relevant parties to make a determination as to whether an event should be considered for inclusion in 2009.
There are 34 races on the NRC this year, with overall price money up to $1.4 million (up from $1.1 million in 2008).
This year’s inaugural NRC Summit (taking place next weekend) is limited to 2009 NRC promoters only because of the timing of the calendar announcement. It is a two-day event to discuss the aspects and expectations of being on the NRC. It is an educational tool to have an open dialogue about the future of the NRC.
The USAC ProTour calendar is not out yet, as the Tour de Georgia is awaiting word of a title sponsor – which is contingent on Lance Armstrong’s participation.
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