Max Gawn to champion road safety as TAC People's Ride ambassador

Published date: 27 Oct 2026

Melbourne Football Club captain and cycling enthusiast, Max Gawn, has been named ambassador for the 2027 TAC People's Ride, helping promote road safety as part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR).

Returning from 27 to 31 January 2027, the five-day festival brings world-class cycling to Geelong and the Surf Coast, with the TAC People's Ride giving recreational cyclists the chance to experience sections of the iconic course while helping promote safer cycling on Victorian roads.

As part of the TAC's ongoing partnership with the event, all registered TAC People’s Ride participants will receive a new jersey featuring retro-reflective technology. The jersey incorporates highly visible reflective elements designed to help riders stand out and be seen earlier by drivers.

The innovation is supported by TAC and Queensland University of Technology research, which found that high-visibility cycling apparel with retro-reflective elements significantly increased the distance at which riders could be recognised by drivers, in low-light conditions.

Cyclists remain among Victoria's most vulnerable road users. Six cyclists have lost their lives on Victorian roads so far this year, while 385 cyclists were injured in crashes with motor vehicles in 2025, 28 of whom spent 14 days or more in hospital.

Drivers are urged to slow down, remain alert and allow at least 1 metre on roads with a speed limit of 60km/h or less and 1.5 metres on roads over 60km/h, while riders are encouraged to increase their visibility by wearing bright or reflective clothing, using lights day and night and following the road rules.

The TAC's message is simple: everyone has a role to play in road safety. For cyclists, it’s simple: stay safe on the road by being visible, predictable, and following the road rules.

For more information or to register for the TAC People’s Ride, head here: http://cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au/peoples-ride/overview

Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Roads Safety, Paul Hamer

“The TAC People's Ride gives riders of all ages and abilities the chance to take part of one of Victoria's premier cycling events, while helping promote road safety.”

Quote attributable to TAC CEO, Tracey Slatter

“Events like this help us connect with cyclists and reinforce simple actions that can help prevent crashes, reduce serious injuries and keep people safe.”

"The reflective technology featured in the 2027 TAC People’s Ride on participant’s jerseys is backed by research and demonstrates how visibility can play a critical role in keeping cyclists safer on our roads."

Quote attributable to Cadel Evans AM

Road safety is a responsibility for all road users and with cooperation and respect we can make our roads safer for everyone, which should be the goal of all Victorians.

Quote attributable to TAC People's Ride Ambassador, Max Gawn

"Cycling is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, and everyone deserves to get home safely after a ride."

"I'm excited to be involved in the TAC People's Ride and help encourage all road users to look out for one another and share the road safely."