The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, alongside partners and key stakeholders, signed up to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Pledge this week to show a tangible commitment to creating an inclusive, diverse, and accessible world-class event in Glasgow and across Scotland between 3-13 August 2023.

The Pledge will support the key principles of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Framework, using the platform of a global event as a catalyst for change, in addition to delivering an event that has inclusion at its core.

By joining the Pledge, participants will be challenged to actively make a positive difference to the lives of others by harnessing the power of the bike to build a more inclusive Scotland. This entails building a foundation of trust and confidence with people at a local, national, and global level. 

The EDI framework also ensures that those who are most vulnerable in society, impacted by stigma and discrimination and excluded from sport and public life are included in this narrative.

Attending the launch were two young people from Glasgow who embody the ambitions of the framework. Farrah Gillespie and Ryan Campbell are two 10-year-olds who discovered cycling through the inspiring work of local social initiative the Urban Fox Programme.

This initiative provides cycling opportunities, led rides and bike repair schemes to young people in areas of need. Both Farrah and Ryan have received donated bikes through their involvement with the Urban Fox Programme.

While the UCI Cycling World Championships remains at the core of everything that the event aims to deliver, the event also strives to act as a catalyst for change across Scotland to improve lives, wellbeing (physical and mental) as well as bringing a sense of freedom and connection to people in their everyday lives.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie, MSP, Scottish Government said:

“We want the Championships to inspire people from all backgrounds to help build a fairer, more active and healthier Scotland through the power of the bike. The Scottish Government is proud to be supporting the Championships and the Ride Together Pledge.”

Trudy Lindblade, Chief Executive Officer, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, said:

“I would like to thank the UCI, our partners and key stakeholders who have joined us in signing up to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Ride Together Pledge.  We are committed to making a difference through the power of the bike using the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as the platform to not only generate discussion but to enable us to ‘ride together’ to achieve long lasting change with the belief that the power of the bike can mean something to everyone, regardless of who you are.”

The sale for the first-of-its-kind cycling event is now open with tickets having a range of prices suitable for all fans’ budgets. Tickets can be purchased for as little as £8 with ticket information to be found here www.cyclingworldchamps.com/visit/tickets/