Amy Gillett Foundation officially releases Cycle Safe Communities

14 Mar 2013

Media Release: 14 March 2013

In its quest to curb bike rider injuries and fatalities, the Amy Gillett Foundation has released Cycle Safe Communities, a ground-breaking online community-based platform to help governments, councils, businesses, clubs and community groups deliver impactful cycle safety campaigns directly into communities Australia-wide.

The national relevance of Cycle Safe Communities is evidenced in the support for its development. The program was enabled through seed funding from VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and the generosity of thousands of AGF donors and fundraisers Australia-wide. Cycle Safe Communities was formally launched in December by Hon. Patrick Conlon MP, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure South Australia.

Government, organisations and community groups who subscribe to Cycle Safe Communities can now co-own and deliver AGF-endorsed cycle safety material and campaigns including 'A Metre Matters' and 'Ride Rules' where it matters most – into communities – benefiting from the work of the Foundation in developing and market-testing the 'ready-for-production' collateral.

Future campaigns developed or endorsed by the AGF will also become part of the suite of collateral available for subscribers. Consumers and groups can also purchase bike rider safety products from the Cycle Safe Communities website.

Chief Executive Officer of the Amy Gillett Foundation, Tracey Gaudry, says "Campaigns like 'a metre matters' have already created awareness for more than 3 million Australians about how motorists and bike riders can be safer together on our roads.

Cycle Safe Communities will enable organisations and community groups nationally to draw upon the Foundation's work to raise awareness about bike safety with all Australians." "Bike riding is now mainstream with over 4 million people taking to their bikes weekly. We need to do for bike rider safety what has been done for motoring safety since the 70's.

Awareness, attitudes and behaviour are key contributors to improving safety for bike riders and indeed, all road users." Gaudry added. The first visual community activation of Cycle Safe Communities is on a grand scale, thanks to the support of JC Decaux, BikeExchange.com.au and Bicycle NSW.

Commencing on 19 March in Brisbane, 480 outdoor billboards throughout the cities of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will display the a metre matters and Ride Rules messages projected to reach over 3.5 million people during March and April. These messages have been designed to help create mainstream awareness amongst road users with a QR code directing people to download the Cycle Safe Communities platform.

"The Foundation's smart phone app provides a great way for all road users to gain access to Cycle Safe Communities and find out how they can support and stay up-to-date with cycle safety awareness" said Amy Gillett Foundation Patron, Simon Gillett.

Victorian council and community groups will be able to subscribe to Cycle Safe Communities free of charge throughout 2013 thanks to VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission. James Holgate, VicRoads Director Vehicle and Road Use Policy said "VicRoads supports the Amy Gillett Foundation's new online resource toolkit - Cycle Safe Communities and hopes that it will become a one- stop shop for community groups and individuals to access cycling safety resources."

Transport Accident Commission Acting Chief Executive Officer Clare Amies said the TAC supported the Amy Gillett Foundation's A Metre Matters message as part of its Cycle Safe Communities program encouraging motorists to leave sufficient space when sharing the roads with bike riders. "It is a great visual reminder for all road users to look out for each other and respect each other on the roads," Ms Amies said.

 The Cycle Safe Communities platform is available at www.cyclesafecommunities.org.au.

 The Amy Gillett Foundation was established in 2005 following the death of Amy Gillett while cycling with the Australian Women's Cycling Team in Germany, when a motorist careered across the wrong side of the road into the riders. The Amy Gillett Foundation's mission is safe bike riding in Australia. Its vision is zero bike‐rider fatalities.