"I don't like cycling," the woman said. "So Wollongong being a Bike City means nothing to me." She wasn't the first person to offer me that view since last February, when Wollongong became the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded the prestigious designation by cycling's world governing body, the UCI. Cycling is not for everyone. She said she would never be a fan. And that's OK!

But Wollongong being awarded UCI Global Bike City status, and hosting the UCI Road World Championships next September is going to be good for the whole Wollongong community - for years to come - whether you happen to like cycling or not. And she did seem to reconsider a little, after I explained what Wollongong being a Bike City could mean to her...

Being recognised as a global Bike City will be game-changing for tourism and hospitality businesses in Wollongong that have suffered so badly through the global pandemic. Bike City status changes Wollongong's proposition significantly to the large and growing number of local and international tourists who want to ride a bike on their holiday. And we don't have to wait for the Road World Championships for that benefit - it will start flowing now, as Wollongong gets on the front foot promotionally in the new year.

And the Bike City label encourages the development of dedicated cycling attractions, like the new Mountain Bike Park opened earlier this month at Cringila. It's a world class facility worthy of a Global Bike City, and it is already attracting thousands of visitors. With $80 million in state government funding committed to creating safe and legal mountain bike trails on our escarpment, the sky will be the limit. "So if you or your family or friends work in Wollongong, and especially in tourism or hospitality, being a Bike City should matter to you," I said.

Being a Bike City also puts Wollongong on the radar of thousands of business leaders across Australia who are cycling enthusiasts and are considering places to expand their businesses and invest. Cycling enthusiasts are significantly over-represented among business leaders. "So if you, or your family or friends want a new job in Wollongong, or to stop commuting to Sydney in the future, being a Bike City should matter to you," I said.

Being a Bike City also really ups the ante on Wollongong to increase and improve cycling infrastructure across and around the city. More separate cycle paths. More Park and Ride capacity. The pop-up cycle way on Smith Street alone is attracting 1000 new bike trips a week. "So if you travel by car and would like fewer cyclists on the roads, being a Bike City should matter to you," I said.

And the Bike City label puts the spotlight on Wollongong's sustainability credentials. The UCI released their Sustainability Strategy earlier this year, and it promotes high standards for international Bike Cities. Being a Bike City will accelerate Wollongong's progress towards creating a healthier environment for our community to live in. Safer bike lanes and more Park and Ride locations will reduce traffic volumes and emissions in the city. "So if you want Wollongong to be a healthier place for our kids to enjoy, or if you care about our carbon footprint, being a Bike City should matter to you," I said.

"I don't care about tourism or hospitality, or new jobs, or safer roads, or a healthier environment," the woman said. "I just don't like cycling."

"Well do you like a big party?" I asked her. We've been locked down and deprived of live events and community celebrations for the last couple of years. The UCI Road World Championships will be the biggest event ever staged in Wollongong. It will be our Olympic Games - an eight day city-wide party, with 300,000 guests from all over the world. It will be like Rugby World Cup 2003 and the day the cruise ships first came to town all rolled into one.

She gave me a wry smile. So I gave her my clincher... "Are you proud to be from Wollongong?" I asked her. "Of course I am," she said.

The UCI Road World Championships will be Wollongong's ultimate moment on the world stage. We will welcome and show off our city to 1000 of the best athletes in the world, and tens of thousands of visiting tourists. 300 million television viewers around the globe will see hours of live postcard footage of our home town. Their experiences will shape Wollongong's image and reputation for years to come.

"If you care about what they say, being a Bike City and hosting the best ever World Championships should matter to you," I said. She smiled again. I think I even saw a tiny hint of excitement in her eye.