(ATR) Tracey Gaudry, a vice president of the International Cycling Union, says that the relaunched UCI Bike City label program draws inspiration from Olympic Agenda 2020.
The initiative, Gaudry told Around the Rings on Sunday, is all about"greater legacy, a greater investment in sport, and longer-term sustainability"
The UCI Bike City label aims tosupport and reward cities, regions who invest in developing community cycling and relatedinfrastructure. Thecycling federation will award the first label at next year's road worldchampionships in Doha.
For a period of four years, a dedicated UCI team will help the chosen city to develop plans that combine showcasing elite cycling events as well as everyday cycling.
"We set criteria to encourage cities and governments to invest," Gaudry told ATR."That criterion includes installing bicycle lanes, improving road rules for cycling, and increasing education for children.
"We're very pleased because for the first time it brings elite cycling and everyday cycling together as part of a cycling family."
Gaudry, a two-time Olympic road cyclist, said that five years ago the UCI Bike City label program lacked a set of long-term goals for cities hosting major cycling events."It stopped short of focusing on creating a true cycling culture in those regions.
"The new administration supporting UCI chief Brian Cookson recognized the opportunity and the responsibility to promote cycling as more than just an elite sport.We saw the need to promote cycling as part of everyday life for health, for fitness, as a viable mode of transport, and to start to build the economy of cycling in major cities."
Gaudry said that the initiative is about more than promoting the legacy of events like world championships in BMX, cyclo-cross, mountain bike,road cycling, and track cycling.
"Bicycle-riding is a panacea for a lot of societal issues.Exercise is great for your mental health and productivity in the workplace," she explained."It reduces congestion on the road and encourages fitness for leisure, not just for sport."
Gaudry added: "It's not about a city finding more money in its budget. It's about shifting the priority to helping people live a healthier lifestyle.
"UCI is going to be awarding the label proactively. When we can see a plan in the future and a major event is part of that plan, we're awarding that label to help encourage the government and the city to keep up the good work."
Richmond 2015 Success
Gaudry spoke with ATR on the sidelines of the 2015 Road Cycling World Championships in Richmond, Virginia.The men's elite road circuit kicked off the final day of competition on Sunday.UCI said that around 1,000 athletes competed at this year's championships. The total turnout of spectators was about of 450,000.
Richmond is a city interested in investing more in cycling, she said.
"I've been on my bike around Richmond and I'm looking at the bike lanes and the signs and the speed limits, and they're doing a lot to encourage cycling.In talking with the mayor yesterday and talking with councilors around the city, this for them is a catalyst to invest more in cycling," she added.
Richmond hasbeen a "superb host city" for the road worlds this year, Gaudry told ATR.
"The locals are super friendly, the organization is fantastic, the racers are in an environment where they know everything's been laid out for them, the spectators are having a great time, and all of the representatives from around the world are here in Richmond.
"It's been nearly 30 years since it's been in America, so congratulations Richmond."
Written and reported in Richmond byNicole Bennett
Home page photo: Getty Images
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