SAFE ROADS FOR SAFE CYCLING: SAFER JOURNEYS FOR CYCLISTS
FRONT AND CENTRE OF NEW UPSKILLING PROGRAM
Australian Government and Amy Gillett Foundation have officially launched a new $6 million cycling safety program.
Investment will focus on upskilling and collaboration across road design practitioners, while also putting best practice tools, data and mapping at their fingertips to deliver improved local road design.
In the last twelve months (ending February 2023), forty cyclists died on Australian roads.
MONDAY 20 MARCH 2023
National cycling safety charity, the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) celebrates the Australian Government and AGF’s official launch of Safe Roads for Safe Cycling, a new $6 million cycling safety program that will reduce road trauma and help all Australians that choose to ride a bike get home safely.
Today, Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, was joined by AGF CEO, Dan Kneipp, AGF Chair, Lisa Jacobs, AGF’s Stuart Outhred and Katie Brown, and Amy Gillett’s mother, Mary Safe, to announce the launch of the program at Parliament House, Canberra.
Safe Roads for Safe Cycling will deliver long-term road safety benefits including a reduction in cyclist trauma and death, as well as an increase in safe, active transport options. Active transport enhances the life and liveability of local communities, while also decreasing traffic congestion and reducing transport emissions.
Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said, “Cycling is a significant part of the Australian lifestyle. It is a common form of transport, recreation and sport, with many Australians also enjoying the health and environmental benefits of cycling.”
AGF Chair, Lisa Jacobs said, “This is a great moment for cycling advocacy in Australia. We’re looking forward to working with the Federal Government to reduce road trauma and get more people riding bikes. This investment will help those teams deliver to a higher standard, saving lives and also making bike riding a much safer transport choice”.
Under the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 released last month, the Australian Government will be funding programs to reduce risks to cyclists, pedestrians and motorcycle riders as well as future proof the systems to protect vulnerable road users.
Over the next two years, investment will focus on upskilling and collaboration across road design practitioners, while also putting best practice tools, data and mapping at their fingertips to deliver improved local road design. A highly skilled, connected, and collaborative road design community is more efficient and effective, delivering better solutions for our nation’s local roads.
Amy Gillett’s mother and AGF Patron Mary Safe said, “The impact of trauma from a bike crash is devastating, as we know all too well. Most bike crashes are preventable. We are thrilled that the Federal Government is supporting the Amy Gillett Foundation’s important work to help keep bike riders safe.”
“The Amy Gillett Foundation is proud to have led the implementation of minimum passing distance legislation across Australia over the past decade, but we know that the work doesn’t stop there. This funding will focus on improving the roads and streets we all ride on every day, so that it is safer for all road users.”
All three tiers of government are pivotal in reducing trauma on Australian roads, this investment shows the structural ways in which our government can help achieve better outcomes for people on bikes. The support shown demonstrates the Australian Government’s appetite for innovation and new approaches that will stem road trauma and encourage people to choose their bike for more trips.
– ENDS –
Available for interview:
Mr Dan Kneipp (pron. Ka-nipe), CEO, Amy Gillett Foundation
Senator the Hon Carol Brown
Media contacts
Mrs Katie Brown – Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships
T: 0448 820 571
Ms Nellie Metcalfe – Ministerial Advisor to Senator Carol Brown
T: 0473 965 172
E: Nellie.Metcalfe@MO.infrastructure.gov.au
ABOUT AMY GILLETT FOUNDATION
Every day over 20 cyclists are hospitalised with serious injuries, including brain injuries and
fractures. A cyclist is killed every 10 days on Australian roads. This isn’t good enough.
The Amy Gillett Foundation’s mission is for safe cycling in Australia. Our vision is for zero deaths and a reduction in the serious injury of people riding bikes. Each year, nearly 40 people die while riding a bike on Australian roads. One in five people injured on Australian roads is a person riding a bike. The Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) was born out of the tragic death of Amy Gillett, killed while on a training ride with the Australian Women’s Cycling Team in 2005. As Australia’s leading cycling safety charity, we
champion an evidence-based approach to safe cycling. We support research, create education programs and advocate for safe cycling. We work with all levels of government, road authorities, corporate, motoring, cycling and community road safety organisations and the public to create a safe cyclist environment in Australia.
