Dear Friends of the Foundation,
 
The Amy Gillett Foundation is proud of the continued support we've received from motorists and cyclists alike over the past six years in pursuit of our work to promote greater cooperation on our roads and aim for Zero Bike-related fatalities.
 
The Foundation has been recently approached for comments in response to the merits of introducing compulsory bike/rider registration, given some people were of the view that only with a financial contribution via a bike registration system should cyclist 'earn' the right to use the road.
 
The AGF position on this issue is very clear. The Foundation confirms that registration is not associated with ‘having the right to use the road’ and comments which may have inferred the contrary were out of context.
 
To clarify, the AGF is not advocating a review of bike/rider registration. We do support legislation changes which there is evidence that it will lead to safer bicycling. Bike registration has arguments for and against it, depending on the scheme, however there is currently not the evidence to our satisfaction that bike registration should be a priority for government to review. In context of our public comment, any investigation of such a scheme is not a trivial matter and should not be taken lightly. We also do not support the view from some that bike riders should pay registration to earn their right to use the road. Everyone has the right to use the road, in accordance with the Australian Road Rules.
 
The Foundation is placing its efforts towards a more important priority, which is a review of safe passing road rules. There is little clarity in the road rules about what “safe passing” actually is.  Bicyclists hit from behind by a motor vehicle is one of the leading causes of bicycling fatalities in Australia. Improving the safe passing rules through legislation change has multiple benefits for bicyclists and drivers alike. By mandating safe passing distances, we can take a positive step to reduce fatalities, as well as create a better shared understanding of what is the right behaviour to use on the road.

We thank the community for their ongoing support. 

Safe bicycling!
Tracey Gaudry, CEO