“Cycling faces a crucial turning point”: Thousands sign petition urging UCI to rethink unpopular new 40cm bar rule

In the latest update to the ongoing controversy around the UCI’s decision to limit riders’ handlebar width to 40cm, apparently in the name of safety, almost 3,500 people have signed a petition urging cycling’s governing body to rethink its unpopular new rule.

The UCI announced the change on Friday, the plan to implement a minimum width for all riders’ handlebars, regardless of rider height or gender, from January 1 2026. This would mean a minimum width of handlebars (outside to outside) for mass start road and cyclocross events of 400mm, with a minimum inner width of 320mm between brake levers.

The news was somewhat buried in a longer statement announcing several changes to equipment rules, all in the name of safety, including limiting the use of TT helmets in road races, and implementing new rules on rim height and fork width.

However, in the week since, the UCI has faced criticism from riders, fans, bike fitters, teams and brands over the plan to force everyone to use bars that are at least 40cm wide, the consensus being that the change will disproportionately impact smaller riders and the women’s peloton, many of whom use bars narrower than 40cm, not for aerodynamic gains, but simply to ride a bike set-up that fits properly.

> Will the UCI be forced into an embarrassing U-turn on narrow handlebar rule? Governing body’s “crazy” one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t make sense, riders say

A petition has been launched online, urging the UCI to rethink the handlebar width regulations. It was set up by Dana Galley from My Velo Fit, an online bike-fitting company, and has been signed 3,229 times, at the time of writing.

The petition states cycling is a sport celebrated for its athletes, but “faces a crucial turning point” with these rules.

“The current ruling imposes restrictions that may not necessarily cater to the diverse physiological needs of cyclists, specifically female and smaller riders, compromising their ergonomic comfort, efficiency, and most importantly, safety,” it begins.

“The new ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy does not account for the variety in body types and biomechanics among riders. Cyclists come in all shapes and sizes, and their equipment needs to reflect that diversity.

“Not every cyclist can perform optimally under the same conditions; some require wider handlebars to accommodate broader shoulders, while others need narrower grips for better control and manoeuvrability based on their body’s build. The regulation particularly impacts female cyclists who, based on our own extensive data base (one of the largest in the world) and other studies, on average require a 38cm handlebar.”

While safety was cited as the UCI’s reason for the rule, the petition states that it may in fact “inadvertently place riders at risk of injury”.

“Improper bike-fitting can lead to chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues,” the petition continues. “Based on our database, the new regulations will result in nearly the entire women’s peloton and a large number of the men’s peloton riding handlebars that are too wide.

“For optimal biomechanics, most riders benefit from a small amount of internal level rotation. This regulation will make that nearly impossible without an excessively wide handlebar and will result in potential nerve impingements in the wrist. It overlooks critical aspects of rider health and performance that should not be ignored.

“It is essential to reconsider this ruling and encourage a more inclusive, science-based approach that allows flexibility in handlebar width adjustments. The UCI should collaborate with professional cyclists, sports scientists, and industry experts to develop guidelines that better serve athletes’ needs while maintaining the integrity of competition.

“By signing this petition, you advocate for a change that prioritises riders’ physiological needs and contributes to the advancement of cycling as a sport that values each athlete’s unique requirements. Let’s urge the UCI to rethink its handlebar width regulations and promote a fairer and safer cycling world.”

Narrower bars has been one of the most commonly seen tech trends in the peloton in recent times. Last week, at the Critérium du Dauphiné, we saw plenty of riders opting for 36cm bars, the set-up popular with smaller riders and those looking for aero advantages alike.

> Tech trends: Narrow bars with shifters angled inwards – should you be copying the pros to ride faster?

It has been suggested that for every 2cm closer together you bring your hands there’s a 25W advantage when travelling at 40km/h, so it’s hardly surprising to see the speed-conscious pros going narrower.

Perhaps in the UCI’s mind is the example of ultra-narrow and boundary-pushing Dutchman Jan Willem Van Schip, as well as front ends such as this from Belgian rider Dries De Pooter. 

However, the point remains that for many, using bars narrower than 40cm is simply with comfort and biomechanics in mind. Yes, it might be more aero, but it’s also simply an integral part of having a bike that fits properly for many.

This is particularly the case in the women’s peloton. Every rider on the Coop–Hitec Products team rides bars narrower than 40cm, while 14 of Visma-Lease Bike’s 18-rider squad will need to change their set-up.

road.cc tech writer Emily Tillet, a cycling coach and former GB rider and national junior individual pursuit champion, says she “cannot understand how the rule change got approved in the first place”.

“It seems like a crazy decision that completely overlooks the needs of smaller riders, not just women,” she says.

“Forcing a one-size-fits all approach just doesn’t make sense biomechanically. The fact that so many female riders would need to change their bars should set off some alarm bells. The rule claims to increase control and stability and reduce top speeds, but ironically may leave many riders feeling less in control and compromising comfort for long stages. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a U-turn on this one.”

Likewise, the president of the International Bike Fitting Institute has warned that the UCI’s “well-meaning rule” could “unintentionally compromise rider health, safety, and long-term participation in cycling”.

“As fitters, we know there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when it comes to contact points like the handlebar,” Lee Prescott said in a blog post following the UCI’s announcement.

“Biomechanically, most riders, particularly smaller-framed individuals, women, and juniors, naturally fall within the 360-380mm range for optimal bar width. Forcing them to use 400mm bars compromises shoulder alignment, increases strain, and degrades overall comfort and efficiency on the bike.”

Any attempts by riders to work their way around the impending rule change, such as tilting their lever hoods dramatically inward to achieve a narrower position, could have a serious impact on safety and comfort, Prescott points out.

“This adaptation significantly reduces the rider’s ability to safely and confidently reach the brake levers from the drops – a critical control position, especially during high-speed descents or sprints,” he wrote.

“Not only does this diminish safety, but it also puts riders in awkward wrist and hand positions that can lead to numbness, discomfort, and long-term injury.”

Will we see a U-turn? The UCI is no stranger to controversy and criticism over its implementation and interpretation of rules, but last week’s announcement has resulted in an extent of unified opposition that even the governing body has rarely experienced. With an ever-growing number of signatures on a petition, plus figures from all parts of the sport speaking out, it seems unlikely that the noise around the handlebar rule is likely to go away any time soon. We’ve contacted the UCI for comment and there’s a link to the petition on Change.org here.