Beyond the Ban: Celebrating women racing in NSW Sport Cycling 1958-1980

Because of this arbitrary move, women's cycle racing remained stagnant for almost a century. While some independent competitions did take place, they were isolated and sporadic. No state or national competitions were held during this period. Unfortunately, the NSW cycling body (NSW Amateur Cyclists Union) was the strictest in the application of this ban.

By the 1940s and 50s community attitudes towards women had changed drastically. The decades old ban had gotten so ridiculous, different groups began to challenge it. By 1958 Sydney bicycle clubs like the Lidcombe-Auburn Cycle Club (LACC) and the St George Cycling Club began their own women’s track racing and training program, in contravention of the NSW Amateur Cyclists Union (the predecessor to Cycling NSW and today’s AusCycling). The LACC sessions became popular. They were held every Sunday at Lidcombe Oval and entertained clubs from around the area including the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club, Enfield-Burwood Cycling Club, and the St George Cycling Club.

Between 1958 until the mid-1960s many women took part, including the would be nemesis of the racing 'ban', 21-year-old Margaret McLachlan from the Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club. McLachlan's racing achievements were ignored for 59 years by successive peak state and federal sport cycling bodies. In December 2025, McLachlan, now 81-years old, had her achievements recognised when she was inducted into the AusCycling Hall of Fame.

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