Flanders gets awarded the UCI Bike Region Label

Flanders has been awarded the UCI 'Bike Region Label' by the UCI. The UCI Bike Region Label recognises regions which on the one hand organise important UCI events, but on the other hand also strongly promote cycling for everyone.

Flanders applied for the UCI Bike Region Label because of the organisation of the 2021 UCI Road World Championships which will take place in Flanders in September 2021. Flanders sees this major sporting event as an opportunity to highlight functional cycling (cycling between home and work and between home and school). The fact that Flanders now receives this label means an extra boost for the cycling policy in our region. After all, 2021 is not only the year of the world championships, but also the start of a new cycling policy for which the Flemish provinces and local authorities are joining forces. All this with a view to improve cycling in Flanders.

The label has been awarded to Flanders because it meets the conditions set by the UCI. Apart from organising important UCI events, Flanders was also able to show that it has a long-term strategy concerning cycling and is working on a cycling policy. The improvement of the bicycle infrastructure, the promotion of traffic safety and a clear increase in bicycle use were all conditions to obtain this label.

"The UCI 'Bike Region Label' confirms that Flanders is more than the land of the Flandriens. We are the country where all cyclists find their liking. Flanders has hundreds of cycling routes and networks that take you through our beautiful polders, nature and past picturesque places. You can even ride your bike through the water and the trees, and soon through the heath. And after your bike ride you can take a rest in our many cafés and enjoy a well-deserved regional beer," says Flemish Minister of Tourism Zuhal Demir.

"Flanders receives a prize even before the world championships have even started," laughs Flemish Minister of Sport Ben Weyts. "This label gives Flanders extra cachet as a cycling region par excellence. We are highlighting this with the 100th edition of the World Cup. The race is coming home. We go for what we love." 

Source: Flanders

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