Wollongong is rolling towards a bike friendly future
With Wollongong preparing to welcome the world’s best cyclists for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in September, local businesses and employers are being asked to show their support for cycling and a commitment to being “bike friendly” in a new program launched by Destination Wollongong
NEWS FROM DESTINATION WOLLONGONG: 30th March 2022
With Wollongong preparing to welcome the world’s best cyclists for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in September, local businesses and employers are being asked to show their support for cycling and a commitment to being “bike friendly” in a new program launched by Destination Wollongong today.
In conjunction with Wollongong City Council and Wollongong 2022, the Wollongong Bike Friendly Business program will help strengthen the city’s commitment to attracting cyclists and enhancing their experience while they are here.
Businesses and employers will be able to register for the program online and work through a simple accreditation process to become a part of the Bike Friendly Business program.
To be a part of the program, businesses or employers will actively need to demonstrate their support of cycling and initiatives to improve services for cyclists as well as their willingness to support Wollongong’s Bike City activities.
"The commitment of Wollongong City Council to develop a cycle friendly city is bringing increased visitation from cyclists into our city but more importantly creating a better lifestyle for our citizens,” Destination Wollongong’s project manager Stuart Barnes said.
“The Bike Friendly Business Program provides a way for venues, retailers, accommodation providers and employers to take advantage of the cycling opportunities, learn more about how they can better support cyclists’ experience in the city, to support the UCI Road World Championships and the city’s UCI Bike City Label.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said supporting businesses would be able to proudly carry and display the Wollongong Bike Friendly Business Brand to ensure the optimum cycling experience for many years to come:
“We’re proud of our UCI Bike City Status and the fact we’re the only city in the southern hemisphere to currently hold this honour,’’ Cr Bradbery said.
“This program is another positive step for the city as it provides a way for a range of businesses to build on Council’s investment in a range of cycling-related infrastructure and initiatives.
“Whether it’s families, mountain biking thrill seekers, keen road cyclists or office workers looking for an easier way to commute, people have a wide range of reasons as to why they ride – and this program supports businesses to tailor their support to meet their target markets.’’
UCI Director General Amina Lanaya declared: “The UCI congratulates the city of Wollongong for launching its new Bike Friendly Business Program. After being awarded the UCI Bike City Label in February 2021, Wollongong has rapidly engaged with the local community and stakeholders to roll out a broad range of initiatives promoting the growth of cycling amongst the population. The new Bike Friendly Business program is perfect timing in the lead up to the UCI Road World Championships and is aligned with the UCI’s mission to make cycling more accessible to all.
“Wollongong’s programme also provides a fantastic example for other UCI Bike Cities to follow, as it will strengthen partnerships, create new links with the business community and encourage further investment in cycling. We are delighted to see the UCI Bike City Label encourage such innovative thinking!”
The launch of the program was held at the Five Islands Hotel in Cringila, a business which has improved aspects of their business since new Publican Paddy Coughlan came on board in November last year to benefit from Wollongong City Council’s investment in Cringila Community Bike Park:
“We have seen a direct impact since the opening of the bike park. We are looking at ways as a business we can help better accommodate cyclists whether that be through our services, our menu or enabling them to get a good coffee,” Mr Coughlan said.
“We’re looking at investing in better bike storage facilities for the hotel as one way we can be more bike friendly for our cycling patrons.”
Businesses and employers can register for the program through one of four streams, which all carry unique accreditation criteria:
Venues
Retailers
Accommodation
Employers
Businesses or employers interested in becoming part of the program can register here:
