Cycling for a cause - Amy's Ride 2008

Promoting a shared respect between motorists and cyclists

Cycling for a cause - Amy's Ride 2008

6^th January 2008

Sporting stars, celebrities, Victorian families and interstate cycling enthusiasts today supported the annual Amy Gillett Foundation fundraiser, Amy’s Ride, established to promote mutual awareness and understanding between cyclists and motorists on our roads.

Riders of all ages and fitness levels joined professional cyclists, including Tour de France heroes Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans and Stuart O’Grady. They were joined by other sporting stars and celebrities including Michael Klim, Sam Mitchell, Danny Frawley, Mike McKay, Michael Roberts, Mark Hindmarsh, Cameron McConville, Emma Carney, David Strooper, Toby Roberts, Tim Clarke and other Jayco Flyers from the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic.

Local cycling sensation Cadel Evans used the day as an opportunity to officially present the Amy Gillett Foundation with a $40,000 cheque from his $50,000 earnings as last year’s Sport Star of the Year award.

With perfect weather conditions, participants enjoyed the 120km or 65km stretch of Bellarine Peninsula at its very best. Budding cyclists or youngsters testing out brand new Christmas presents opted for a more manageable ‘Go for your life’ 1km family loop.

Amy’s Ride commemorates the life of Amy Gillett, the elite Australian cyclist killed whilst training in Germany. Amy Gillett Foundation General Manager Melinda Jacobsen confirmed the event is a major fundraiser for the organisation.

“Amy’s Ride is an outstanding opportunity to showcase our cause; what better way to do so than by initiating an openroad ride used by both motorists and bicyclists during the event. Through fundraisers, such as Amy’s Ride, we not only promote the dire need for improved awareness and respect of all road users, but the money critically needed to continue our cause. We look to Amy’s Ride as a means of providing funds and resources for other worthwhile initiatives during the year such as our national learner driver initiative, Road-Right, and our various scholarship programs, including pioneering research into the reasons behind cyclistmotorist collisions on our roads,” said Ms. Jacobsen.

An average 35 bicyclists are killed each year on Australian roads, whilst some 2,500 are seriously injured and countless other incidents go unreported. With bikes now outselling cars (1.3-million bikes sold in 2006 alone) the need for mutual awareness and respect amongst cyclists and motorists is more vital than ever before.