USA Cycling pays $404,000 to Local Associations as total dividends eclipse $2 million

Colorado Springs, Colo. (February 11, 2010) — USA Cycling announced today that based on last year’s license sales, it will distribute over $404,885 to its 34 Local Associations as part of an ongoing effort to grow competitive cycling at the grassroots level. With the 2009 payout, which is the largest ever and in direct correlation with last year’s 5.6% increase in licensed cyclists, USA Cycling has now delivered more than $2.1 million in direct funding to its Local Associations since the program’s 2003 inception.

USA Cycling created the Local Association program to better serve its members by investing resources at the local level. These local branches are comprised of passionate members and volunteers who are the driving force behind USA Cycling’s grassroots initiatives. Each year, USA Cycling reinvests a significant portion of its membership dollars back into each Local Association based on license sales. These investments are then allocated by the Local Associations toward specific programs in their respective regions so the money is used as efficiently as possible to grow cycling across the nation.

2009 was the second year in a row that all 34 Local Associations earned payouts from USA Cycling. For the fifth consecutive year, the Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association qualified for the largest payout, earning a total of $39,445 from USA Cycling, followed by the Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association (36,285), the New England Bicycle Racing Association (31,830), the Texas Bicycle Racing Association (26,380), and the New York Bicycle Racing Association (24,160).

“The payouts allow us to invest in the growth of competitive cycling at the state level,” explained Steve Hansen, president of the Illinois Cycling Association (ICA), which received $13,980 from USA Cycling for 2009. “Really, most of the success of the ICA comes from the hard work of people who volunteer their time and talent, so one important thing we do is use the payouts to show appreciation in several little ways to those who help us out.”

In addition to purchasing equipment, championship jerseys and other awards, the Illinois Cycling Association has used part of their USA Cycling payouts for projects like an improved website which handles official’s assignments and provides information to the sport’s newcomers.

At the end of 2009, the State of Illinois had over 1,900 USA Cycling licensees, compared to the state’s 1,600 in 2008. That growth is in line with the rest of the Local Associations across the nation. In 2009, USA Cycling’s membership grew for the seventh consecutive year. The 66,844 licenses sold nationwide last year represent a 5.6% increase over 2008.

“There are several reasons for the growth, but one important reason is the financial support we receive from USA Cycling. We are tremendously grateful for that support,” Hansen continued.

“Cycling in the U.S. has grown tremendously over the last several years, and that growth has been supported by our Local Associations and their programs that drive racing at the local level,” explained USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson. “By putting our membership dollars back into local racing, we can ensure that our members continue to encounter positive racing