Recognition of Wollongong as a global city has reached new heights today as Wollongong Council joins the ranks of cities such as Vancouver, Paris, Copenhagen, Glasgow and Bergen following the announcement that we've been awarded the UCI Bike City Label.
It's a significant coup for Wollongong as it's the only time an Australian city or region has been awarded the prestigious label. The UCI Bike City Label recognises Wollongong's long-term commitment to delivering an improved cycling experience for everyone.
With the 2022 UCI Road World Cycling Championships coming to Wollongong in September 2022 we're excited to share the UCI Bike City Label news with our community.
"The purpose of the UCI Bike City Label is to not only recognise the elite cycling cities of the world, but to award cities or regions that aspire to become cycling cities and have invested in an outstanding long-term cycling strategy," said Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle.
"We have made no secret of our focus here in the City of Wollongong. We are committed to support cycling at all levels of ability, from elite competitions through to the use of bikes for leisure, fitness and transport. We have a vision of Wollongong becoming the place to ride and we're working to deliver on that promise.''
UCI stands for the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body of cycling. The UCI Bike City Label, relaunched in 2015, is an internationally recognised award that supports and acknowledges cities and regions who host major UCI cycling events and invest in developing community cycling, related infrastructure and programs. This year, Wollongong joins the ranks of 18 cities and regions which have been awarded a Bike City Label, making Wollongong the only city in Australia to receive this prestigious title.
"We are immensely proud that Wollongong has been recognised by the UCI in this way. This international recognition endorses Council's vision and commitment to supporting the growth of cycling within the City, whether that be for fun, sport or transport," Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.
"This award arrives at the perfect time as this year, Council has begun to roll out the Wollongong Cycling Strategy 2030, which provides a way forward for how we can continue to support cycling in our City.
"As part of this Strategy we're aiming to increase cycling participation across the City, expand our cycling network from approximately 130km to a total of nearly 215km and increase our community's confidence with riding."
The Wollongong Cycling Strategy 2030 sets out the actions Wollongong City Council plans to take over the next decade to ensure Wollongong is the place to ride for everyone. The Strategy targets five pillars; safe, convenient, planned, 'business, tourism and events', and innovation.
