In 2016, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made several changes to its sports program, which were subsequently implemented for these games.

Included in this was the addition of the BMX freestyle event for the first time to the Pan American Games sports program.

Also added was the addition of the Madison event in track cycling for men and women.

A nation could enter a maximum of 26 athletes, four in mountain biking (two per gender), six in BMX (three per gender) and a combined 16 for road and track (ten men and six women).

Peru as host nation, was automatically awarded the maximum quota of 26 spots.