The new UCI regulation imposes - without distinction of sex - handlebars 40 cm wide, but this decision has raised many criticisms from women's teams. Apparently, women were not taken into consideration by the International Cycling Union, because a 40 cm handlebar causes many driving problems for bikes designed for people who are not tall and of robust build like men.

From 2026, professional cyclists' handlebars must be exactly 40 cm wide: this was decided last week by the international federation, but women's teams have protested because this requirement would force them to adopt a "motorcycle-style" position.

The UCI's decision was made because increasingly extreme choices are being made to obtain greater aerodynamics - with special helmets, unique wheels, highly technological suits, and narrower handlebars. The search for aerodynamic solutions is constant, and sometimes these choices lower safety levels. The UCI believes these trends must be controlled and limited, and thus imposed a series of new rules last week. One of these concerns the handlebar, which must be exactly 400 mm wide.

Almost all women's teams have launched a campaign against this decision, because while this choice is certainly important in men's cycling, in women's cycling it would create stability issues.

"I understand that the UCI wants to end the trend of using narrower and faster handlebars, it's not safe," said Fien Delbaere, sports director of AG Insurance-Soudal. "But in Women's World Tour cycling teams, the standard handlebar width is between 36 and 38 cm. I don't have the exact number, but I believe at most one or two women ride with a 40-centimeter handlebar."

Such a problem would also create issues in men's teams if a rider were extremely slim and of a height similar to women's.

"Apparently, this decision did not take into account female anatomy," emphasized Lieselot Decroix, performance manager at FDJ-Suez. "Many athletes in our team would be affected. It would not be a problem only for athletes like Fisher Black, for whom such a wide handlebar would reduce performance or even be dangerous."

Decroix refers to New Zealander Niamh Fisher-Black (in the photo), who has become the face of the protest against the new rule in recent days. The Lidl-Trek cyclist posed on Instagram with a tape measure across her shoulders, indicating just over 30 centimeters. Karl Lima, team manager of Coop-Repsol, also spoke out on social media: "All 13 of our cyclists ride with a handlebar narrower than 40 cm".

Such a choice is certainly unthinkable, which makes sense in men's cycling but absolutely does not take into account women's needs.

"A narrow handlebar for those with broad shoulders increases aerodynamics but reduces agility and driving ability. But if you have to ride with a handlebar wider than your shoulders, it's like riding a motorcycle."

Decroix's words provide an accurate analysis because for women, the position would not only be uncomfortable but would cause significant problems in handling the bike, which would impact safety.

The International Cycling Union has not responded so far, and all women's teams hope for an adjustment to the new rules, asking to take into account the structural differences between men and women.