The designation comes from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), who will be holding the Road World Championships in Wollongong on NSW's South Coast on September 18-25.

"The UCI Bike City label supports and reward cities and regions which not only host major UCI cycling events but also invest in developing community cycling and related infrastructure and programs," the organisation stated.

The vast majority of UCI Bike Cities are located in Europe; aside from Wollongong, the only non-European city prior to today's announcement was Vancouver in Canada.

The UCI Management Committee overnight announced Wollongong as one of four new cities to receive the UCI Bike CIty status.

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The other recipients are Flanders region (Belgium), Val di Sole (Italy) and Fayetteville (United States). Fayetteville is the first American city to earn the honour.

In its application, Wollongong City Council noted almost half of Wollongong's households had access to a bike.

"Wollongong is also home to a variety of cycling clubs with riding programs and facilities across all disciplines and abilities for the community to access," the application stated.

"Wollongong is also a major hub for cycling events offering recreational and competitive opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities across all cycling disciplines."