Ride Rules
Minister for Transport Terry Mulder officially launched the Amy Gillett Foundation’s (AGF) new rider safety campaign ‘Ride Right’ at the presentation ceremony for winners of Amy’s Gran Fondo on Sunday 16 September and thanked the AGF, supporting organisations and all those who contributed to the success of the weekend in Lorne.
The Ride Right campaign launch further celebrated Amy’s Gran Fondo event success with over 4000 riders completing the circuit and over $90,000 of funds raised to support ongoing education programs.
According to Amy Gillett Foundation CEO Tracey Gaudry between 2000-01 and 2006-07, cyclists’ rates of serious injury increased by nearly 50 per cent highlighting the importance placed on setting best practice rider safety standards.
“The launch of the Ride Right campaign, with support from the TAC, is just another step for the AGF and forms part of the broader strategy to reduce the incidence of death and injury of bike riders through safety awareness and education.
“Together we’ve created a series of bike rider safety themes with a primary action associated with each theme, called Ride Rules. Each Ride Rule provides an engaging way to help improve bike riders’ awareness and understanding about how they can improve their safety.
“Today we are launching the first four of many Ride Rules highlighting detailed behaviours and actions. A series of posters and postcards have been produced depicting a humourous reminder to bike riders of what they can do to reduce risks.
Ride Rule No. 1 – Road rules – Stop on Red
Ride Rule No. 2 – Bunch Riding – Ride Two Abreast
Ride Rule No. 3 – Mutual Respect – Share the Road
Ride Rule No. 4 – Ride Predictably – Hold Your Line
Ride Rule No. 5 – Be Alert – Look. Anticipate. Respond
Ride Rule No. 6 – Be Visible – Use your lights
Ride Rule No. 7 – Maintain Equipment – Wear An Approved Helmet
Ride Rule No. 8 – Health First – Fuel Prevents Fatigue
Ride Rule No. 9 – Identify Yourself – Always Carry ID
“The Amy Gillett Foundation is a catalyst for change, focused on what should be, rather than what is. Recent advocacy efforts including the legislative review of “car dooring” and promoting “a metre matters” are examples of this,” Ms Gaudry said.
The Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) is a charity born out of tragedy with the death of Amy Gillett, who was hit by an out of control motorist while cycling with her national team mates in Germany in 2005. The AGF aims to reduce the incidence of death and injury of bike riders through safety awareness and education with a mission of safe bike riding for all Australians and a vision of zero bike rider fatalities.
Ride Right
The Amy Gillett Foundation is excited to partner with Big W and Sheppard Cycles to promote safe riding amongst Australians, young and old.
Riding right can make a huge difference to both the safety and enjoyment of cycling. We hope you find this information helpful, to use in conjunction with common sense and your best judgement as the situation dictates.
If you’re buying a bike, Big W staff are trained to talk to you about the three-step Ride Right process:
1. Buy the right size bike
- Stand astride bike with both feet on the ground. Ensure minimum 25mm clearance between crotch and top tube of bike frame.
- For women’s style frame use a men’s bike of same size to check fit.
- When on bike, rider must be able to reach the pedals, gears and brakes easily – especially younger children.
2. Buy the right helmet
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Choose a helmet that fits snugly on the head.
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Select only Australian Standards approved helmets.
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Close the buckle and adjust straps so helmet does not rotate forward obstructing vision or rearward exposing forehead.
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Replace helmets every 3 years or sooner if subjected to any impact.
3. Buy the right safety gear
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Be visible to cars – wear bright or reflective clothing.
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Use front and rear lights when riding in low light or at night.
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Maintain your bike – check tyre pressure, gears and brakes every time before riding.
To learn more, choose from the following options:
Collisions – the facts
Every year an average over 2,550 cyclists are either killed or injured on our roads.
Analysis of collisions show that while the causes are many, they are equally shared between motorists and cyclists. Each of us has a responsibility to drive and cycle responsibly.
Here are a couple of facts to keep in mind:
- Failure to be seen is one of the most common causes of fatal collisions.
- Both mid block and intersections are significant collision zones.
- More than two-thirds of the deaths of cyclists aged 5-17 years were the result of the bike rider failing to give way to oncoming traffic and about half of these cases occurred at intersections. A typical behaviour for the younger (pre teenage) bike riders was to enter the intersection from a footway without dismounting and without looking. Remember to check left and right every time you enter a road way.
General awareness tips for Cyclists
- Sharing the road means obeying the road rules, including traffic signals, and respecting other road users
- Indicate your intentions – use hand signals and make eye contact with drivers when changing direction
- Make sure you are visible to other road users
- Make sure your bike is roadworthy and fits you properly
- Be predictable and courteous and alert to other road users
- Wear a bicycle helmet at all times when cycling.
- Use lights when riding in low light conditions
General awareness tips for Motorists
- Be patient when overtaking
- Treat bicycle riders as equal partners: cycle traffic has the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle traffic
- Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast, respect their right and be patient when overtaking
- Look for cyclists when opening car doors and making turns
- Give people on bicycles at least one metre width clearance. They may have to swing out to avoid hazards such as loose drain covers or glass
- Bicycle lanes are for the exclusive use of cyclists to increase their safety. They can only be used when passing a right turning vehicle or to enter/leave a car parking space
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