Cycling’s international federation has established a panel to promote safety conditions for cyclists – whether they are commuters, leisure riders or athletes.
In a statement, the UCI said the commission’s objective was to ensure individuals in grassroots cycling were protected in order to nurture future generations of champions.
The UCI’s newly formed Advocacy Commission met earlier this week and will operate on three key issues: to provide more opportunity and access for children to cycling; to encourage investment in cycling infrastructure; and petition for road safety improvements.
The commission is chaired by UCI vice president, Tracey Gaudry, who is also the CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation, a cyclists’ road safety charity in Australia. Other members include Pia Allerslev, the mayor of cycle-friendly city, Copenhagen, and Tim Blumenthal, president of People for Bikes in the US.
Gaudry addressed the Velo-city Global 2014 conference in Adelaide this week and said: “The future of our great global sport depends on a healthy grassroots and a vibrant cycling sector. In partnership with others, we want to make our contribution to the acceptance, growth and sustainability of the cycling community.”
UCI president Brian Cookson added: “The issues we will address through this area of our work are relevant for everyone who rides a bike, whether they are a Tour de France winner, an amateur racer or someone who cycles to work. We need roads that are safe to ride on, government investment in cycling and policies in place to encourage all children to ride bikes.”
Cookson was president of British Cycling between 1997 and 2013, when the national federation became an increasingly powerful voice for cyclists to government on safety issues.