Accessibility at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
The 2023 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Cycling World Championships is, in essence, a sporting event – but when you dig a little deeper, it’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity for everyone, whether they’re taking part or spectating, to start their own cycling journey.
From 3-13 August over 8000 elite and amateur cyclists will participate, bringing their bikes from more than 120 countries to gather in Scotland to compete, make history and show the world the power of the bike!
From an accessibility perspective, we understand that there were many months of planning, with UCI working with Diversity and Inclusion advisors, including our former Access and Inclusion Director and now Ambassador Paul Ralph. UCI also worked with award-winning diversity changemaker Aneela McKenna, as well as local disabled people to make the event as accessible as possible at both indoor and outdoor venues. We hear from Aneela that everyone involved had a passion for cycling!
We spoke to Paul, who visited a couple of sites / venues earlier this week at Glentress and Fort William. He told us both had lovely cafes which were accessible and had accessible loos, as well as there being mobile food units with a good range of offerings. Signage and defined paths and routes make access information and general accessibility at both sites very good, and we were delighted to hear from Paul that Glentress has a mobile Changing Places toilet for the event.
Sensory packs for adults and children are available at both venues, and Glentress has a quiet area for people to take time out, even with a teepee under the trees. Paul also said, “There are loads of things to do in and around the cycling with a full blown ‘expo’ area at Fort William where you can learn all about cycling; for sport, for leisure and adaptive cycling.”
Excitingly, both sites have amazing wheelchair viewing platforms right up close to the finish line, and Paul told us that these are so close that you feel like you could reach out and touch the cyclists. Not that we would encourage this!
Overall, Paul described the UCI Cycling World Championships as “a great day out for people whether they are cycling fanatics or simply just interested. Each of the two settings offer beautiful countryside and amazing views too.”
If you're planning to go, these spectator guides may be useful:
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