Bellarine Times SHARE THE ROAD Tuesday 28 September 2010
VOL 3. No 39
www.bellarinetimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
All road users urged to exercise caution as tourists and cyclists flock to the region for this week’s UCI World Championships BY ALISON MARTIN THE UCI Road World Cycling Championships will bring thousands of cyclists and visitors to the Bellarine this week – and all road users are urged to drive and ride with caution. The Bellarine will be showcased to the world throughout the week, as international cyclists train and enthusiasts explore the peninsula during the world championships. Bike Safe spokesperson, Ocean Grove’s Stephen Draper, said the championships were a fantastic event to stage in Geelong but all road users needed to remember the visiting cyclists were riding on unfamiliar roads with unfamiliar signage. He said Bike Safe’s road safety campaign, which focuses on a range of ‘share the road’ initiatives, is
Surf Forecast
continuing to raise awareness of road conditions which affected cyclists. Draper said local cyclists who rode on Bellarine roads knew where the hazards were but there would be many more cyclists on the roads over the coming week and he encouraged motorists to slow down. City of Greater Geelong councillor, Jan Farrell, said the UCI World Championships were a great opportunity for residents to experience an international event in their own backyard. “Elite cyclists from around the world will be using roads in the Bellarine Peninsula to train, so keep your eye out for some of the world’s best athletes zooming past,” she said. “The world championships are anticipated to bring over $50million into our region’s economy. “We expect that the amount of visitors staying in
accommodation on the Bellarine Peninsula during the event will provide a welcome boost to the local economy. “With around 300,000 spectators across five days of competition companies such as hotels, restaurants, hire car companies and retail shops are set to receive a direct benefit from this influx of visitors.” Several accommodation providers across the Bellarine confirmed they were booked out this week, primarily with UCI visitors. Ocean Grove Holiday Park manager, Stephen Smith, said September holidays were “always a little bit slow” and it was unusual at this time of year to only have a few vacancies left before the holidays even started. He said visitors who had booked during the UCI championships were not in cycling teams, but
The Italian cycling team was training on the Geelong-Portarlington Road last week in the lead-up to this week’s UCI Road World Cycling Championships. Photo ALISON MARTIN
coming to the region because of their interest in the international event. Farrell said UCI visitors staying in Geelong would also be attracted to make day trips to the Bellarine. “The beautiful scenery and renowned food and wine will no doubt entice many of the visitors to the Bellarine Peninsula during their stay in Geelong,” she said. Farrell also encouraged Bellarine residents to head into Geelong to watch the races – which start tomorrow and run through until Sunday – and enjoy the festival atmosphere and many associated events and entertainment that will take over the city. For more information about the 2010 UCI Road World Cycling Championships, visit www. geelongaustralia.com.au/2010cycling
WED 3-5ft dropping, SW 13° THU 2-4ft average, S/SW 16° FRI 1-2t small N 15° SAT 1-2ft average E/NE 16°
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