Cycling along the Blue Mile in Wollongong. Photo: Destination Wollongong.
Wollongong’s commitment to inclusive cycling has put it on the world stage, being named one of three global finalists in the 2025 UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards’ Bike City category.
A legacy of the 2022 UCI Road World Championship, its Bike City Community Partners Program is being recognised for making cycling accessible to people of all ages and abilities — and is the only finalist from the Southern Hemisphere.
A collaborative initiative led by Destination Wollongong and supported by Wollongong City Council, it is up against programs from Abu Dhabi, UAE and Treviso, Italy, with the winner announced 20 June.
Destination Wollongong general manager Jeremy Wilshire said the award, which recognised cities showing exceptional leadership in promoting cycling as a tool for positive environmental and social change, highlighted Wollongong’s community-focussed approach.
“This recognition reflects the hard work of dozens of community organisations who share a passion for making cycling more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable,” Mr Wilshire said.
“Being shortlisted on a global stage proves that Wollongong’s legacy from hosting the UCI Road World Championships in 2022 is alive and growing stronger.”
He said it was a program that had led to practical initiatives, such as the creation of an all-abilities section in the MS Gong Ride, support for new piloted trikes through Cycling Without Age, and the introduction of frame riding events run by Frame Running Wollongong for mobility-impaired cyclists.
It had also aided the growth of the Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling, which now includes community, youth and all-abilities rides and activities.
Those initiatives were highlighted in the video which accompanied Wollongong’s award submission.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said it was exciting to see Wollongong listed as a finalist in the global competition.
“It demonstrates Wollongong is deserving of its global recognition as a city that embraces cycling as a sport, as an active transport option and as a recreational activity,” Cr Brown said.
“In recent years we’ve invested significantly in facilitating a wide range of cycling infrastructure – like shared paths and on-road cycleways, Unanderra’s criterium track, and Cringila’s mountain bike park.
“Right now, we’re building supporting infrastructure for the mountain bike trails being constructed in the escarpment by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“Our commitment in this space is clear and we’re going to continue to support cycling in all its forms into the future.’’
Bike City Community Partners Program has brought together more than 25 Illawarra organisations to collaborate on initiatives that enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy cycling in Wollongong.
Among them are The Disability Trust, Cycling Without Age, Healthy Cities Illawarra, Illawarra Cycle Club, Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling, the MS Gong Ride, and FrameRunning Wollongong.
2025 UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards winners will be announced at the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum in Copenhagen on 20 June.
For more information on Wollongong’s cycling initiatives, explore Visit Wollongong.
