REFLECTIONS
As 2018 draws to a close, it is timely to look back on our achievements for the year of which we can be proud, including cementing a metre matters laws in NSW and the ACT after successful two-year trials and securing a commitment from the NT to introduce these laws in early 2019. Victoria remains the outlier, with the Andrews Government still yet to commit to these vital life-saving laws.
We’ve also been focused through our research, training and education programs on measures to ensure the current and next generation of motorists are taught the skills they need to safely share the roads with cyclists, as well as skills and safety education for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
And yet it’s also a time to pause and reflect with great sadness on those cyclists who have lost their lives this year, or who have been seriously injured. No death is acceptable and that is why we at the Amy Gillett Foundation remain steadfastly committed to doing whatever we can to achieve zero.
Each tragedy strikes at our heart.
The loss of Cameron Frewer, with his similar conviction, along with the other 38 cyclists who have been killed on our roads this year, continues to affect us and highlights the enormity of the challenge.
We remain focused on pursuing continuing education, promotion and enforcement of a metre matters laws, together with investment in protected cycling infrastructure, research, technology, education and training programs, and other cyclist safety measures. We will continue to work with a range of organisations and governments across the country to achieve our vision of zero cyclist deaths.
Thankfully, we are never short of people and organisations to work with to change culture and behaviour – we are however, only limited by budget.
Safety remains the number one barrier to cycling participation. Investment in cyclist safety measures by federal, state and local governments is needed to create a safer environment for cyclists, together with the unreserved commitment of policy makers, enforcement and road safety agencies, and all road users to achieving our shared goal of zero.
In 2019, the Amy Gillett Foundation will continue to do what we can to promote our safe cycling agenda to demonstrably improve safety outcomes for people on bicycles everywhere.
Happy Christmas and safe cycling.
