July 20/10 11:55 am - Canadian Para-cycling Road Worlds Receive UCI ReCycling Label

Posted by Editor on 07/20/10
 

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has signed a partnership agreement with the organizers of the 2010 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, that demonstrates the desire of the two parties to stage a truly green event.

Paramanic International, the organizers of the UCI Para-cycling Worlds, is the first to use "ReCycling, the UCI Environmental Guidebook for the organization of greener cycling events" to stage its event. As a result of its commitment, Paramanic International has been awarded the official UCI eco-label ReCycling, which it can now use in its documents, correspondence and promotional material.

Published by the UCI in 2009, the ReCycling guidebook allows organizers to make their races ecologically responsible events. It includes a series of worksheets that guide organizers through the preparation and operating phases of their events.

"We are delighted to have signed a partnership with Paramanic International," says Andrea Marcellini Mendonça, UCI Cycling for All, Masters and Sustainable Development Coordinator. "Sustainability is a core part of their event management strategy and we couldn't have hoped for a better partner to kick-start our ReCycling programme."

UCI Para-cycling Coordinator Chantale Philie echoes her enthusiasm: "The fact that major organisers take the problem of sustainable development seriously is a major step forward for the UCI and cycling."

Paramanic International is using the ReCycling guide to prepare the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, which will take place in Baie-Comeau from August 17th to 22nd. The guide treats important issues including waste management, local purchase policies, renewable energy, and the use of public transport.

Joanie Bergeron Poudrier, Chief Coordinator of the organizing committee for the 2010 UCI Para-cycling World Championships, is committed to the project: "We have a committee that is overlooking the whole preparation of the event and making sure we always choose the greenest option available, be it in logistics, catering or recycling."

Baie-Comeau is a fitting venue for an environmentally friendly event: the city is located in the heart of the Uapishka-Manicouagan Reserve, known for the quality of its biodiversity and for its programme of sustainable development. It is included in the worldwide network of biosphere reserves established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Courtesy UCI