The Disability Trust and Destination Wollongong are working together to increase access to cycling for people with a disability.
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The two bodies have entered into a partnership to strengthen the city's profile as a great place to live and visit for people of all abilities.
They are focussed on helping organisations become more accessible and attractive for people with disability, as well as those with challenges around mobility.
Their goal is to open up opportunities and demand by increasing the accessibility of cycling for people with disability.
The Disability Trust chief operating officer Ed Birt described the partnership as an opportunity to grow visitation and enhance accessibility.
Mr Birt said it would also further the potential of the trust's 'CycleAbility' program, designed for people with disability to enjoy cycling.
"It has been running since late May," he said.
"We purchased the equipment after running fundraiser and we now have around 12 people a day coming through using the bikes and enjoying the experience."
Mr Birt said The Disability Trust hasn't been able to run large groups during lockdown but people in small family groups or shared living arrangements are still enjoying the program. He said there was no reason people with a disability can't use all Wollongong's cycleways.
"We know that people with a disability are under-represented on bicycles," he said.
"That is because of the fear associated with accidents and having a safe space to ride. But in Wollongong we have fantastic facilities which are separated in many instances from traffic. So there are great opportunities in this city for people with a disability to take advantage of the benefits of cycling."
Mr Birt said Matt McMaugh was an example of someone whose life had really opened up through cycling.
"We want to see more and more people give it a go," he said.
"The specialist equipment we have here includes trikes and I have seen quite a few elderly people with significant mobility impairment getting on them and having a really great time. Their smiles come from that feeling of independence and joy."
Mr Birt said the new partnership would also help local businesses grow with the city's cycle network.
"We are keen to support as many people as possible to enjoy cycling, and our CycleAbility program is doing just that."
Destination Wollongong chair Tania Brown said the partnership will enhance the city's reputation as destination worth visiting.
"Wollongong has so much visitor potential, which has great flow on economic impacts for local businesses and for local employment," she said.
"Adding another string to our bow as a great place to visit for people with disability and mobility challenges is something we are very keen to promote."
"As a UCI Bike City, we are also particularly excited about the CycleAbility program and the opportunity to showcase the great work of The Disability Trust on the world stage as we move towards our Olympic moment in September 2022."
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
