The recommendation comes from GCF Secretary-General Shaaban Mohammed, who argues that licensing should not be a purely administrative step.

In his view, it is an opportunity to confirm that every rider and official on Ghana’s start lists genuinely understands what is expected of them, both on home roads and at international competitions bearing the UCI banner.

What the Examination Would Cover

As proposed, the assessment would test a candidate’s grasp of cycling rules and regulations, road safety practice, standard race-day procedures, anti-doping requirements, and the wider code of conduct expected of a licensed athlete or official.

Passing it would then sit alongside the other conditions already required for a Ghana Cycling Federation licence, in line with applicable UCI regulations.

This will help to develop the sport of cycling.”Shaaban Mohammed, Secretary-General, Ghana Cycling Federation

The underlying goal, according to the proposal, is preparedness. A licensed cyclist who understands the rules of racing, the basics of road safety, and the standards of conduct expected of them is better placed to compete confidently and safely, whether the event is a domestic criterium or a UCI-sanctioned fixture abroad. The same logic extends to commissaires and other officials, whose command of procedure directly shapes how fairly and safely a race is run.

Understanding the UCI Licence

A UCI licence is the official competition licence issued through a cyclist’s national federation, in this case the Ghana Cycling Federation, in its capacity as a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale. It is the document that formally links a rider to their federation and clears them to take part in sanctioned competition.

What a UCI Licence Confirms

  1. That the rider is registered with a recognised national federation.
  2. That the rider is eligible to participate in cycling competitions under the applicable regulations.
  3. That the rider holds the required insurance, medical clearance, or other federation requirements, depending on the licence type and country.
  4. That the rider can be entered into competitions where a UCI or national competition licence is required.
  5. That the rider is competing under an officially recognised cycling identity and category.

A Note on Non-UCI-Calendar Races

The proposal also addresses a point of confusion that sometimes arises among riders and clubs: the assumption that a race outside the UCI international calendar has no bearing on licensing requirements.

That assumption does not hold. Whether a licence or UCI ID is required for a given event is ultimately determined by that competition’s own regulations, by the rules of the national federation, and by the organiser’s requirements, not simply by the race’s calendar status.

Key Clarification

A race not appearing on the UCI international calendar does not automatically mean UCI licences or UCI IDs are irrelevant. Competition regulations, national federation rules, and organiser requirements determine what documentation riders and officials must carry.

Taken together, the Federation frames the proposal as a modest but meaningful step, tying the right to compete under a Ghana Cycling Federation licence to a demonstrated understanding of the rules that govern the sport.

Should it be adopted, the examination would apply to new applicants and to riders and officials renewing existing licences, subject to the applicable UCI regulations.