The Amy Gillett Foundation has called for uniform collating of data relating to cyclist deaths and injuries across Australia, in an effort to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries.

The request - to police departments and hospitals in every state - coincides with the second anniversary of the death of cyclist Amy Gillett, struck down by a car and killed on July 18th whilst training in Germany with fellow Australians. The accident also left five of Amy's team mates critically injured.

Foundation General Manager Melinda Jacobsen says although the mutual awareness and tolerance of bicyclists and motorists on Australian roads has increased as a result of the tragedy, there is still an unacceptable number of collisions between riders and drivers.

Inspired by Amy's life, the Amy Gillett Foundation was formed to reduce the incidence of death and injury resulting from motorist and bicyclist interaction. With 1.3-million bicycles sold in 2006, more than cars, the need to generate widespread, national awareness is critical.

During the past two years, the Amy Gillett Foundation has played a proactive role in developing awareness through initiatives including:

• Partnership with Victoria Police for Safe Cycling Month, an initiative to increase bicyclist safety and reward responsible cycling
• Amy's Ride; an annual summer event held to celebrate Amy's life and to raise the profile of bicyclists. A tremendous success in Victoria and Queensland, the Foundation now plans to expand the event to other states.
• The Safe* Family Research scholarship - a joint initiative between the Foundation and Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) investigating the circumstances of collisions and near collisions with bicyclists from the perspective of all road users. The study will explore circumstances behind the incidents, and people's resulting experiences, attitudes and behaviour.
• The annual Amy Gillett scholarship, which supports an emerging female cyclist of exceptional potential both personally and in the sporting arena.

"Currently, every State collects data relating to cycling accidents in a different way. And whilst we may have the details of where and how the accident occurred, we still don’t know WHY – information which is vital if we are to turn the tide," Ms Jacobsen said.

"With the popularity of bicycling having surged in recent years, the fact this data has never before been compiled and analysed is an anomaly. We intend to use the Safe Family Research Scholarship findings to help curb any level of accidents involving bicyclists and motorists," she said.

"In order to assist the Foundation, we are calling on police jurisdictions across Australia to co-operate in streamlining their data collection to improve the way we notice trends in cycling accidents.

The Foundation has also announced plans to implement Road-Right, a minimum three-year campaign aimed at learner drivers. A ground-breaking initiative, Road-Right is a web-based, nationwide education program encouraging young drivers to answer a series of questions and scenarios pertaining to bicyclists and motorists sharing the roads, one or more of which may be used randomly during the compulsory licence test all learner drivers are now required to sit.

"Amy’s death was a tragic loss for all those who knew her. However, the AGF is optimistic Australia's bicycling and motoring culture can undergo a revolution of sorts. We intend to continue playing a valuable and relevant role in this change so that ultimately our roads become safe for all those who use them," said Ms. Jacobsen.

*Amy Gillett's maiden name is Safe