German Cycling Federation

The German Cycling Federation or BDR (in German: "Bund Deutscher Radfahrer") is the national governing body of cycle racing in Germany.

The BDR is a member of the UCI and the UEC.

History

The BDR was first created in 1884 in Leipzig, only to be subsequently dissolved in 1933. The "Deutsche Radfahrer-Verband" (DRV) then took over, until 21 November 1948 when the BDR was re-established.

In East Germany the "Deutsche Radsport-Verband der DDR" (East German Cycling Federation, or DRSV) was responsible for the sport from 1946, until merging into the BDR on 7 December 1990.

Since 2005, the president of the BDR has been former Federal Minister of Defence Rudolf Scharping. Between 2001 and 2005, former track-and-field athlete Sylvia Schenk led the BDR.

Work

The BDR issues racing licences, organises training for athletes and coaches, undertakes youth work, and oversees cycle races in Germany. It works regionally through a network of local associations.

The BDR is also an advocacy organisation, lobbying for the interests of both sporting and leisure cyclists, although it does not aim to represent cyclists who use their bicycles on the road for transportation.

Disciplines

The BDR covers almost all disciplines of cycle sport: road racing, track racing, cyclo-cross, artistic cycling, cycle ball, cycle polo, BMX racing, and mountain bike racing.

In addition to the sporting disciplines, leisure cycling is also covered, including cycle touring.

Regional associations

Other

The "Bundesradfahrerdenkmal" (federal monument to cyclists) is located in the Kurpark of Bad Schmiedeberg.

External links

* [http://www.rad-net.de/ German Cycling Federation official website]