Saturday 18 July marks fifteen years since the tragic death of Amy Gillett, Australian women’s cycling team member and former Olympian. Gillett was killed during an overseas training session by a driver who lost control of their car.
This solemn milestone serves as a reminder of the inadequacy of current cycling and walking infrastructure across Australia.
This year, 29 cyclists have already been killed on Australian roads, a 50% increase in cyclist fatalities in the first half of 2020 compared to the first half of 2019. In 2019, 19 cyclists were killed in the first half of the year (January to June), and 39 were killed in total last year.
This concerning trend indicates that Australia is on track to suffer a significant increase in the number of people being killed while riding bikes this year.
“It’s been 15 years since Amy Gillett was killed, and still Australians continue to die and suffer serious injuries while cycling. This year’s increase in the number of people who have been killed is devastating and unacceptable. We need urgent investment in cycling safety, people’s lives depend on it,” said Mr Dan Kneipp, Amy Gillett Foundation CEO.
In tribute to her late daughter, Mary Safe has penned an open letter to Scott Morrison requesting immediate action to ensure the safety of Australian cyclists during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
“Prime Minister, I understand that you have two daughters. Perhaps they too love to ride bikes. Maybe one day they’re going to be riding their bikes, where as a parent you would want them to feel as safe as they possibly can,” said Mrs Safe.
Earlier this year, in acknowledgement of the massive boom in cycling participation witnessed across the country, the AGF launched a national campaign calling for rapid-roll out of safe, separated cycling infrastructure. #TempBikeLanes calls for national leadership to ensure Australian roads are safe for people to ride bikes, and for people to mode shift to cycling and walking to help ease congestion and alleviate pressure on public transport as Australia continues to battle COVID-19.
“Countries around the world are investing in temporary bike lanes to keep their cyclists safe and I would ask you to commit federal funding in Australia to this cause, please. These temporary, separated bike lanes will save lives and prevent serious injury as well as improve the health and wellbeing of us all. I believe cycling is good for both your head and your heart”, said Mrs Safe
YouGov polling data in May showed that nine in ten Australians (89%) support the introduction of temporary, separated bike lanes. 90% of Australians support these measures to enable children to ride to school safely. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have started and committed to rolling out this essential cycling infrastructure, yet national leadership and dedicated funding seen in countries around the world is lacking in Australia.
In April, the AGF joined over 100 of Australia’s leading health and transport experts, calling on our Government to take urgent action towards the rapid transformation of Australia’s cycling infrastructure. These experts deem our current paths and cycleways inadequate to handle the spike in physical activity during this crisis, posing significant health and safety risks.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
