The sportive is zoning in on littering. But it is also introducing new measures that will ensure the organisers play their part, in using less plastic during this year's edition.
The Wicklow 200 cycling sportive has launched a campaign to reduced, indeed stop, riders littering in Co Wicklow.
It has launched a new initiative that seeks to encourage riders not to litter. Furthermore, it’s introducing an incentive for those who don’t litter.
And in a sign of the times it is also cutting back on the quantity of plastics it uses this year.
The event takes place on Sunday, June 10th, with the traditional 200km sportive and a 100km ‘sibling sportive’.
Under the tag line – and hashtag – Love It Don’t Leave It, the organisers are urging cyclists not to leave their rubbish in the county, which is so popular with bike riders.
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Anyone holding onto their rubbish from gels and other items they consume along the way can hand it in at the finish. They’ll receive free tickets for a raffle on the day.
In order to reduce plastic waste, water tanks will be used at feed stations to allow riders refill bottles.
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And plastic wrapping will be kept to a minimum on cakes and other foods distributed at the feed stations and on the finish line.
Alan Heary, who organises the event on behalf of the Irish Veteran Cyclists’ Association, believes the campaign will foster respect for Wicklow.
And with the county having played host to so many riders and cycling events down the years, he believes riders will hear the message.
“For everyone involved in Wicklow 200, the event is a privilege and it’s up to us to recognise our good fortune by returning the compliment,” he said.
“The Love It Don't Leave It initiative is our way of showing the world that cycling in Ireland’s most beautiful county is an honour.
“And we’re asking our riders to acknowledge that by retaining their litter to be disposed of in the proper way.
“The water tanks will dramatically reduce the amount of plastic waste the event generates.
“And the packaging needs have also been cut by not individually wrapping each food item in plastic as was the custom in past years.
“We’re constantly reviewing our activities around the event and looking for ways to reduce our environmental footprint in Wicklow.”
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