Media Release

21 March 2016

Amy Gillett Foundation and Toll ask everyone to share the road this Easter

Cyclists and Toll truck drivers alike came together in Ballarat today as the Amy Gillett Foundation cautioned for safety on our roads this Easter holiday period through its ‘a metre matters’ campaign.

“A metre matters for drivers overtaking bicycle riders at Easter. Our regional roads are always busier than usual and more families will be out on their bikes over the holiday period,” said Phoebe Dunn, CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation.

“A metre matters all year round but we’re joining with Toll today to stress this simple message over the break.”

The ‘a metre matters campaign’ highlights the need for a one metre minimum overtaking distance between vehicles and bicycles on the road, with that distance becoming 1.5 meters when travelling at speeds more than 60 kilometres an hour. Toll drivers in Ballarat were today educated on the message by Foundation patron Simon Gillett.

The ‘a metre matters’ campaign has led to law changes in South Australia and Tasmania and current trials in the ACT, Queensland and New South Wales, with the Foundation urging other states to follow suit.

“The impact of Queensland and South Australian trials has been positive, and with the ACT and NSW recently commencing trials we urge all remaining states and territories to introduce minimum overtaking distance legislation,” Ms Dunn said.

“In the meantime, all drivers this Easter weekend can observe a metre matters to increase safety for anyone riding a bike.”

At the launch of the Easter message today in Ballarat, Toll pledged its ongoing support for the campaign while announcing that it is extending its partnership with the Foundation.

“Toll is a proud partner of the Amy Gillett Foundation and is delighted to be continuing our association with the Foundation and their key road safety campaigns such as a metre matters,” said Mal Grimmond, Divisional Director of Toll Domestic Forwarding.

“Toll spends more time on Australian roads than anyone else so road safety is our top priority, so we are passionate about spreading the Foundation’s safety messages.  Everyone deserves to get home safely.”

In addition to financial support over the next 3 years, the partnership will see increased safety education for Toll drivers around cyclists (as its drivers in Ballarat received today), and ‘a metre matters’ branding will feature on many new Toll vehicles over the term of the partnership.

The Amy Gillett Foundation is appreciative of the support from Toll.

“The Foundation receives no ongoing government funding so the support of key partners like Toll is crucial in our capacity to continue our efforts to make cycling safer in Australia,” Ms Dunn added.

About the Amy Gillett Foundation

The Amy Gillett Foundation was born out of tragedy, the death of Amy Gillett, who was hit by a driver whilst cycling in Germany. It has evolved to become the leading bike rider safety organisation in Australia, driven by a core mission to reduce the incidence of death and injury of bike riders. We work with all levels of government, road authorities, corporate, motoring, cycling and community safety organisations and the public to create a safer bike riding environment in Australia.

Our Mission is for: Safe cycling in Australia

Our Vision: Zero bike rider fatalities

As Australia’s leading cycling safety organisation, the Amy Gillett Foundation continues to promote actions to make cycling safer in Australia, such as:

• ‘a metre matters’ laws across Australia, to make sure drivers overtake cyclists safely
• safer vehicles and safer speeds
• investment in cycling infrastructure
• teaching drivers how to share the road safely with bikes, including during driver education

www.amygillett.org.au

About Toll

Toll is an Australian transport and logistics company that employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Safety on Australian roads is key to Toll’s business and with this in mind Toll has been a major supporter of the Amy Gillett Foundation since 2011.