Düsseldorf, Germany (01 July 2017) – Peter Sagan, two time UCI World Champion cyclist and member of the German cycling team BORA-hansgrohe, will work with mayors of the world’s great cities to help increase the number of cyclists on city streets. His efforts will support cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. Speaking in Düsseldorf, at the start of the Tour de France, Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40, the network of the world’s great cities committed to bold action on climate change, announced that Mr. Sagan will take on the role of C40 Goodwill Ambassador for Biking Cities.
“I have spent thousands of hours training and riding on the streets of cities around the world and I know what makes a great biking city.” Said Peter Sagan. “When people feel safe and confident riding their bikes rather than taking their car, they are healthier, happier, save money and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. I am looking forward to helping spread the sport that I love to millions more people across the 91 C40 cities.”
“I am delighted to be announcing Peter Sagan as the C40 Goodwill Ambassador for Biking Cities here at the start of the Tour de France,” said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40. “The urgency of the climate crisis facing our cities and our planet requires constant innovation and new ways of working. In Paris we have seen the benefits that increased cycling rates have brought and I know that Peter will help to bring that spirit of transformation to cities across the C40 network.”
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About the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
C40 Cities connects more than 90 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 650+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. The current chair of the C40 is Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo; and three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania. To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities or Instagram @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.
About Peter Sagan
There is no doubt that Peter Sagan will go down in history as one of the legends of professional cycling. The Slovak rider has won the UCI World Championship two years in a row, and having won the prestigious ‘Maillot Vert’ points jersey the first time he rode the Tour de France in 2012, he has won the jersey every year since. With more than 95 professional wins to his name, Peter has proved he can win at every type of race – from the one-day ‘Classics’ to three-week long stage races and the first European Championship, and he is famous for his incredible bike-handling skills and sheer strength.
While he makes winning look easy today, his life as a professional cyclist is the result of many years of hard work and struggle. Born in Žilina, Slovakia, in his early races he rode just in trainers and a t-shirt, and drank only water – looking out of place among other riders racing in lycra and using high tech sports drinks. Having never forgotten his humble beginnings, he always makes time for his supporters – many of whom travel from far and wide to watch ‘The Tourminator’ race – and to win.