Long after the last bike crosses the finish line, the 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships will leave a legacy that boosts the sport in Wollongong and across the Illawarra.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said a $760,000 Legacy Program will launch initiatives to promote cycling and safety on bikes for local community groups and businesses.
“There will be a school bicycle education program for 10,000 primary students as well as strategies to see Wollongong given the prestigious honour of being named a UCI Bike City,” Mr Lee said.
UCI Bike cities maximise the impact of sport to help create better, safer cities for all people on bikes, regardless of their age, level of fitness or cycling activity.
“The world is coming to Wollongong in 2022 for this prime event with more than 1,000 cyclists from 50 countries.
“These world championships are an integral part of the NSW Government’s 10 world cups in 10 years and they will provide Illawarra residents and visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the world’s best cyclists in action,” Mr Lee said.
Chair of the Wollongong 2022 Organising Committee, Dean Dalla Valle said they were extremely excited about the Legacy Program.
“For the first time in Australia a cycling event has developed a program that will have a long term impact on improving cycling participation,” Mr Dalla Valle said
Wollongong City Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said to be the host city of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships was a great opportunity for Wollongong.
“Recently I was in Harrogate in the UK to see the excitement and energy that this event generates,” Cr Bradbery said.
“For eight days Wollongong will be the focus of the cycling world. We are particularly pleased that the event will have a long-term impact on cycling participation in our city and our region through the Legacy Program.
The Legacy Partnership Program will also provide community groups and businesses with the opportunity to apply for grants, which will partner with Wollongong 2022, to deliver innovative programs and projects that promote cycling throughout the community.
Full details on the application process will be available in early 2020.
MEDIA: Nick Marshall-McCormack | 0448 725 289