Challenge UCI race entrants to make a positive difference

The pledge will support the core principles of the EDI framework, using the platform of a global event as a catalyst for change, as well as delivering an event with inclusion at its core.

Under the pledge, partners and key stakeholders signed five major commitments:

Promoting inclusion through the power of the bike, improving well-being, and building a more just and inclusive society for all

Commitment to the growth and sustainability of women’s and girls’ cycling in Scotland.

Maintaining the authenticity of each of the 13 UCI Championships by including inclusivity and accessibility in event planning

Building partnerships, initiating conversations, and looking for opportunities to activate programs to support electronic data interchange

Using the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships to raise awareness about EDI.

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The signatories to the pledge are: Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling, Scottish Cycling and event delivery partners

The partners and key stakeholders of the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships who have signed the Pledge agree to abide by its five commitments.

By joining the pledge, participants will be challenged to make a positive difference to the lives of others by harnessing the power of the bike to build a more inclusive Scotland. This entails building a foundation of trust with people at the local, national and global level.

The EDI framework also ensures that the most vulnerable people in society, affected by stigma and discrimination, and excluded from sport and public life are included in this narrative.

The launch event was attended by two young people from Glasgow who embody the ambitions of the framework. Farrah Gillespie and Ryan Campbell are two 10-year-olds who discovered cycling through the inspiring work of local social initiative Urban Fox.

This initiative provides opportunities for cycling, driving bikes, and bike repair schemes for young people in areas of need. Farrah and Ryan both received donated bikes through their participation in the Urban Fox program.

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While the UCI Cycling World Championships remain at the heart of everything the event aims to offer, the event also seeks to act as a catalyst for change across Scotland through the power of the bike.

Bike Power is intended to be a tool to improve life and well-being (both physical and mental) as well as a sense of freedom and connection to people in their daily lives.

Equality Minister Christina McIlvey, MSP, Scottish Government said: “Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do within Scottish Government. The 2023 UCI Cycling Championships is an exciting opportunity for partners across Scotland to engage and embed these ideals throughout this innovative event, which includes Importantly the Para Road and Track Cycling Championships.

“We want the Championships to inspire people from all backgrounds to help build a fairer, active and healthier Scotland through the power of the bike. The Scottish Government is proud to support the Championships and pledge to ride together.”

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UCI General Director Amina Lanaya said: “The beauty of our sport lies in its ability to unite people regardless of their gender, religion, ethnicity or political beliefs. So I’m happy with this “ride together” pledge. You will contribute to the accessible UCI Cycling World Championships where everyone will feel welcome and will be encouraged to continue to benefit from the bike even after the event.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are interwoven into the UCI’s policies and documents, and this pledge is perfectly aligned with our work to ensure that the great sport of cycling can be enjoyed by all.”

Trudi Lindblad, CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, said: “I would like to thank the UCI and our key partners and stakeholders who have joined us in signing up to our pledge for equality, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to making a difference through the power of the bike by using the 2023 UCI Cycling Championships as a platform for not only To spark discussion but to enable us to ‘ride together’ to achieve long-term change with the belief that bike power can mean something to everyone, no matter who you are.

We will use the Championships to amplify the benefits of cycling while focusing on a younger and more diverse audience with women, children and youth at the heart of our activity. Our goal is for everyone who attends the Championships to enjoy it at all levels and most importantly feel welcome and inspired to create their own strength in the bike story.”

UK Sport’s Head of Major Events, Esther Britten, said: “The 2023 Cycling World Championships is an excellent opportunity to harness the platform of major events to promote the importance of diversity and inclusion in sport and the wider community. UK Sport supports the Ride Together pledge and is committed to ensuring that the major events we host welcome everyone. .

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Throughout the journey through the Great Decade, we not only aspire to unite the nation through extraordinary sporting moments, but also aim to reflect the incredible diversity of communities across the UK.

“Our ambition to host world-class, accessible events would not be possible without the continued support of the National Lottery, and we are truly grateful for their continued contribution to British sport.”

British Cycling executive director Danielle Avery said: “As we look forward to the UCI Cycling World Championships this summer in Glasgow and across Scotland, we are proud to join others in signing the #RideTogether Pledge as laid out in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for 2021 We are fully committed to ensuring that our sport and events are inclusive and welcoming to all, and meaningful partnerships are a fundamental pillar of this business.

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“By bringing together over 8,000 riders and many fans from across the disciplines of cycling, and investing £8 million to benefit cycling facilities, the event is set to be a great example of the power of major sporting events to inspire communities and make a real difference.”

Bailey Annette Christie, Head of Glasgow Life, said: “Our vision for Glasgow is to create a vibrant cycling city where cycling is affordable, safe and attractive to all, whether it is for leisure, transport, tourism or sport. Part of achieving this vision is to conquer barriers to participation and making cycling more attractive to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.That’s why we’ve pledged to work with partners to deliver on the five commitments through our delivery of the UCI Cycling World Championships and beyond.

“We are already implementing EDI projects such as our successful co-cycling program for high school girls that takes groups of 10, many of whom have never learned to ride a bike, through an intense 10-week program of mountain biking, road biking and track sessions.

“Through this work, we will continue to improve our policies, services and facilities to allow everyone fair and equal access to the range of events, projects and services Glasgow Life provides.”

Nick Rainey, Chief Executive of Scottish Cycling, said: “We are delighted to support the pledge, which not only connects the partners of this event towards a common goal of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), but provides us with an opportunity to highlight both the breadth and depth of our work which contributes to making cycling a sport.” For everyone.

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“Our updated regulatory strategy, which we will launch in a few weeks, reaffirms our commitment to delivering targeted interventions to increase the number of women, girls and youth who ride bicycles, and to ensuring that EDI is the golden thread in everything we do.”

Debbie Dean, Project Manager at Urban Fox said: “Cycling offers many benefits to young people in Glasgow and across Scotland, including physical and mental health. Urban Fox is delighted to be supporting the 2023 UCI Cycling Championships and the EDI Framework which will support cycling, Especially in areas of greatest need.” The first-ever cycling event is now open to the general sale with tickets at a range of prices to suit all fans’ budgets. Tickets can be purchased for £8 with ticket information being found here www.cyclingworldchamps.com/visit/tickets/