'Be seen' at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Published date: 30 Jan 2025

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) will have a ‘highly visible’ presence to promote road safety at this weekend’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR).

The TAC’s continued partnership with the prestigious race will this year focus on the importance of being visible on the road, with the message ‘Be Seen, Be Safe. Share the Road’, and the return of Club Allez, a space for spectators to stop, refresh and play.

This year, the family-friendly Club Allez will be emblazoned with fluorescent colours and include a high-visibility sticker station, free fluoro sno-cones and the chance to enter the TAC Safe Jersey Competition.

As part of the TAC Safe Jersey Competition at this year’s CEGORR, entrants will have the chance to design their own safe jersey. The winning entry will receive a custom Santini kit in their signature design for their whole crew, as well as BBB front and rear lights, with the total prize valued at more than $13,000.

Behind the fun and colour is an important message to cyclists and other road users to share the road and take responsibility for each other’s safety. Sadly, the number of cyclists killed on Victorian roads increased by 50% last year, and in the first six months of 2024, 223 cyclists were hospitalised, of which 18 people remained in hospital for longer than 14 days.

The TAC Safe Jersey Competition entries close on 21 February, and the designs will be judged by CEGORR Founder Cadel Evans and a TAC representative.

Transport Accident Commission CEO, Tracey Slatter said the TAC’s partnership with CEGORR would this year focus on encouraging cyclists to be safe, seen and share the road.

“You can increase your visibility and predictability when riding by wearing bright, reflective clothing and by using fully charged bike lights. Cyclists are among our most vulnerable road users and must be seen to stay safe. Whether you’re a rider or a driver, we encourage all road users to look out for each other and stay vigilant when travelling on our roads.

“We’re encouraging entrants to the TAC Safe Jersey Competition to prioritise high visibility when customising their cycling kit. Being visible on the road plays an important role in keeping cyclists safe,” said Ms Slatter.

CEGORR founder Cadel Evans said he was proud to continue the partnership, now in its 10th year, which provided an opportunity to engage directly with the cycling community.

“Safety is a fundamental part of not only our sport, but the general recreation of cycling and our event is a great opportunity to spread safety messaging to the many thousands of cyclists here in the Geelong region and across Australia,” Mr Evans said.

The TAC Safe Jersey Competition opens on 1 February. For more information visit: www.tac.vic.gov.au/jersey