Amy Gillett Foundation CEO Tracey Gaudry today announced as part of Road Rules Awareness Week the rollout of a new collaborative road safety campaign aimed at raising driver and bike rider awareness on how to share the road responsibly in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities.
The campaign entitled ‘It’s a two-way street’ was created in jointly with Transport for NSW, NRMA Motoring & Services, Bicycle NSW and the NSW Police Force, and incorporates the AGF’s existing ‘A Metre Matters’ and ‘Stop on Red’ campaigns.
The initiative began in June of last year when Transport for NSW joined forces with the Amy Gillett Foundation after an increase in fatalities including the tragic loss of nine cyclists on NSW roads in just six months – two more than the whole of 2012. Transport for NSW, through the Centre for Road Safety, allocated $400,000 to promote cyclist safety through the AGF’s existing campaigns.
“The campaign’s theme shows mutual respect is relevant to all road users,” said Gaudry in an official media statement released to BikeRadar. “The strong educational component, eight drive rules and eight ride rules, illustrates key road rules, behaviours and actions that will directly improve the interaction and relationship between drivers and bike riders.”
Alex Unwin, CEO of Bicycle NSW, agreed with Gaudry and said his organisation was delighted to support the campaign.
“By showing consideration and respect for others in our transport systems, regardless of whether they are walking, riding or driving, we can together create a better environment for cycling,” he said.
The Amy Gillett Foundation was established in memory of Amy Gillett, an elite Australian cyclist killed while training in Germany in 2005, with a goal to educate and reduce the number of road-related cycling injuries and deaths.
The AGF estimates the campaign will reach millions of people in NSW through multiple media and communication channels including roadside outdoor billboards, national radio stations, social media and online via its amygillett.org.au website and partner organisations, such as Trek Bicycles who will provide a convenient Z-card pocket guide containing drive and ride rules at all of its NSW Trek dealers.