On August 22nd, 2024, Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association and Bicycle NSW held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney. This MoU aims to promote regional exchanges through cycling, focusing on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge in Ehime.

Before the official signing ceremony, Governor Tokihiro Nakamura of Ehime Prefecture, Mr Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW and Ms Melinda Tarrant, President of Bicycle NSW embarked on a symbolic ride across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. This journey served not only as an inspection of the infrastructure, but also as an opportunity to share their visions and strategies for advancing cycling initiatives in their respective regions.

The signing ceremony was attended by 31 guests, including Australian and Japanese government officials, representatives from relevant organisations, the major cycling media outlet, travel agencies, airlines, and other media eager to witness this significant event.

Hosted by Ms Haruka Shinno, the ceremony began with an introduction that emphasised the importance of the partnership. As someone deeply connected to both Ehime and Sydney, Ms Shinno set a tone of mutual respect and enthusiasm for the event.

Opening Addresses

Governor Nakamura opened the ceremony with a heartfelt speech. He expressed his excitement about the partnership with Bicycle NSW, noting the success of the Cycling Shimanami event in Ehime and the growing interest in the Shimanami Kaido cycling route among Australian tourists. Governor Nakamura emphasised the potential for both regions to learn from each other’s initiatives in promoting cycling safety, inclusivity, and tourism.

Following Governor Nakamura, Mr McLean took the stage to express his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He highlighted the parallels between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, both serving as symbols of connection and friendship. He also expressed eagerness to continue expanding exchanges to mutually benefit both regions in areas such as events, infrastructure, inclusivity, safety, education, promotion, and tourism.

Ms Melinda Tarrant also addressed the audience, thanking Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association for its ongoing support and collaboration. She looked forward to deepening the partnership through future events, including her participation in the Cycling Shimanami event in October 2024.

MoU Signing and Gift Presentation

The highlight of the ceremony was the official signing of the MoU by Governor Nakamura and Mr McLean. The audience applauded as both leaders signed the document, formalising the partnership.

To commemorate the occasion, Governor Nakamura presented premium cycling jerseys from Ehime to Mr McLean and Ms Tarrant, symbolising the shared commitment to promoting cycling between the two regions.

Insightful Presentations: Ehime and Bicycle NSW Initiatives

The ceremony continued with a series of presentations highlighting the cycling initiatives of both Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association and Bicycle NSW. Governor Nakamura was first to take the stage, delivering an insightful presentation on the innovative cycling programs in Ehime, aimed at promoting a cycling-friendly environment and boosting tourism. His presentation was met with great appreciation from the audience.

Following Governor Nakamura, Mr McLean shared Bicycle NSW’s approach to enhancing the cycling experience for both locals and tourists. His presentation emphasised the impressive infrastructure and community engagement that establish the city as a leader in urban cycling initiatives.

Dialogue between Governor Nakamura and Mr McLean

Following the presentations, Governor Nakamura and Mr McLean engaged in a dialogue where they exchanged ideas on how to further enhance the cycling environment in both regions. Before beginning, they raised a toast to recognise the special partnership between the Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association and Bicycle NSW, using premium mandarin orange juice specially flown in from Ehime.

During the conversation, Governor Nakamura shared his experience cycling around the Sydney Harbour Bridge, noting that Sydney’s well-developed infrastructure and beautiful scenery create a cyclist-friendly environment. He expressed a strong desire to promote cyclist interaction through mutual participation in “Cycling Shimanami” and “Spring Cycle,” which are iconic cycling events in their respective regions. He also emphasised that E-bikes, accessible to people of all ages and genders, offer significant potential. Furthermore, he plans to further promote their use in the prefecture, drawing inspiration from successful E-bike initiatives in Sydney.

Mr. McLean provided insights into recent developments in Sydney’s cycling infrastructure, including new initiatives aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility for cyclists. He expressed a strong interest in implementing similar initiatives and found the efforts in Ehime Prefecture particularly intriguing. He highlighted the campaign to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres between vehicles and bicycles, as well as methods for promoting cycling among students, as areas from which he would like to draw inspiration. In response, Governor Nakamura offered to share resources and expertise to support these efforts.

The dialogue concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to ongoing collaboration, with a focus on creating more opportunities for cultural and tourism exchanges through cycling.

Closing Remarks

Ms Shinno delivered closing remarks that highlighted the significance of continued support in enhancing regional exchanges and raising awareness through cycling between Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association and Bicycle NSW. Her words highlighted the crucial role of collaborative efforts as both regions embark on this shared journey.

To show appreciation for the guests’ participation, each attendee received a gift bag containing mandarin jelly, the world-class Imabari hand towel, and brochures and promotional materials showcasing the scenic beauty of Ehime’s cycling routes.

The signing ceremony of the MoU proved to be a resounding success. This pivotal moment has laid the groundwork for a promising and enduring partnership between Ehime Cycling Life-Style Promotion Association and Bicycle NSW. With a mutual vision of using cycling to foster cultural exchange and tourism, the collaboration is set to strengthen the bond between the two regions and pave the way for future joint ventures.

Evening Travel Promotion Event “Explore Ehime Prefecuture”

Later that evening, the travel promotion event “Explore Ehime Prefecture” took place, organised by Ehime Prefecture. The event featured presentations that showcased the remarkable beauty of the Shikoku Pilgrimage route, offering attendees an opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Ehime.

A special focus was placed on the sustainable tourism initiatives in Ozu City, often lovingly referred to as the “Little Kyoto of Iyo.” The presentations highlighted the city’s unique charm and efforts to promote eco-friendly tourism.

The event was a tremendous success, effectively promoting the allure of Ehime and engaging attendees with the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

For more details about Ehime, please visit the links below.

Visit Ehime Japan
https://www.visitehimejapan.com/en/

Setouchi Japan- The Official Cycling Guide to Ehime
https://cycling-ehime.com/en/