The Black Cyclist Network is under pressure as sponsors distance themselves from the organization amid allegations of bullying and harassment by founder Mani Arthur.

Cycling Weekly (open in new tab) revealed Friday that Arthur, who founded the community-based club in 2018, is accused of inappropriate behavior toward junior members of an amateur racing team.

At least four of BCN's sponsors are addressing the allegations, with nutrition partner Science in Sport severing all ties and Zwift withholding support until the matter is resolved.

BCN has asked British Cycling to investigate and claims that no disciplinary action will be taken as a result.

"I can confirm that we have terminated our relationship with BCN. This decision was not made lightly," a statement released by Science in Sport to Cycling Weekly reads.

"We strongly support encouraging broad participation in the sport and shared BCN's goal of expanding inclusion in cycling. However, the deeply troubling current situation and breach of trust at the club has forced us to take this serious action."

Online training platform Zwift, which remains "committed to the cause" of promoting diversity in cycling, issued its own statement saying that it needed to "pause" its involvement with BCN.

"Zwift does not tolerate bullying, hate speech, harassment, intimidation, or personal attacks, whether in-game or anywhere else," a spokesperson said. 'We are aware of allegations of bullying against members of the Black Cyclists Network. We take all allegations seriously and have made the decision to suspend our activities with BCN while we investigate further."

Two additional sponsors, Dhb and Prime Bike Components, also confirmed that they are "investigating and taking this matter very seriously."

BCN was founded in 2018 by Arthur with the goal of promoting cycling among people of Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

As the Black Lives Matter movement gained widespread recognition in 2020, the organization grew significantly and attracted many prominent sponsors. In the past year, the organization launched a racing team, competing on circuits throughout the UK, with future plans to expand internationally.

Details of the allegations surrounding Arthur have not been disclosed; Cylingnews has contacted Arthur, but he has not yet been available for comment. If a response is received, this article will be updated immediately.

A spokesperson for the Black Cyclist Network told Cycling Weekly: "When concerns about bullying were raised with the senior management of the Black Cyclist Network (BCN), BCN contacted British Cycling and an independent investigation into the matter.

"British Cycling concluded that no disciplinary action would be taken and made recommendations which BCN has implemented; BCN has formed a committee and senior members within the club will receive training later this year as part of their ongoing learning and development to better understand how to deal with contentious situations with members They will receive training to help them understand."