Wollongong professionals Josh Carlson and Samara Sheppard will welcome the cycling world to Wollongong at the UCI Road World Championships.
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The internationally renowned cyclists were today revealed the official ambassadors for Wollongong's coveted UCI Bike City program.
After learning his trade on the trails of the Illawarra escarpment, mountain biker Carlson said he was proud to be part of the cycling movement that will unlock Wollongong to the world.
"It means the world to me to be on board as ambassador and see all of these exciting plans coming in to action.
"It makes me super proud to be from Wollongong and see it all develop and see it all grow and be a part of it heading in to the future.
"I've been saying for a long time that Wollongong is an international cycling and mountain biking destination and now it's actually happening.
"The world road championships and the bike city status are going to showcase our city to the world and turn Wollongong in to an international cycling mecca."
Wollongong is the only city in the southern hemisphere to have been named a "Bike City" by an international cycling body.
The designation came from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), who will be holding the Road World Championships in Wollongong on September 18-25.
Tarrawanna-based cyclist Samarah Sheppard said she hopes to qualify for the event and carry the hopes of Wollongong in the world championships.
The New Zealand native moved to the area to live with her partner, coach and fellow mountain biker Kyle Ward in late 2015.
She has since competed in Commonwealth Games and won an Australian title before trading her mountain bike for a road bike to train for the race next year.
"I've been cycling for pretty much my whole life so to be able to give back to a community that's really excited about cycling and got a lot of momentum behind it is an awesome opportunity," she said.
"I'd love to compete at the championships next year so its a fun journey to be living here and take advantage of what we have on our doorstep.
"I've loved Wollongong since I moved here and now all of the exciting things that are going on to make it even more of a bike city are fantastic."
Wollongong City Council general manager Greg Doyle welcomed both Carlson and Sheppard on board saying they share a passion to champion genuine change around people's attitudes and understanding of cycling.
"It is a really exciting time for Wollongong as we look ahead to a big 2022, and continued investment in a wide-range of cycling-related infrastructure that will benefit the local economy and continue to draw new visitors to the region," he said.
"When you're considering potential ambassadors for a program like this, you're looking for passionate individuals who are ready to celebrate Wollongong, cycling and it's people.
"Samara and Josh are talented, passionate and community-focussed individuals who are perfect ambassadors for Wollongong."
Mr Doyle also announced plans for a community partnerships program, where 21 Wollongong-based community organisations will work with Destination Wollongong to deliver a range of cycling initiatives to support the Bike City Status.
A bike friendly business program will also be launched to enable businesses to work with the local cycling fraternity to better understand how they can provide an improved experience for cyclists as Wollongong builds it's reputation as a cycling destination.