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A Metre Matters Campaign

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Please find attached a signature page for the A Metre Matters campaign being supported by the Amy Gillett Foundation, Cycling Australia, the Orange Cycle Club, Orange Triathlon Club and the CWORBC. This needs to be signed and received by the federal government by the end of April. Please get as many people as possible to sign and return the signed letters to the Hotel Canobolas or DG Cycles by the 20th April 2014. There will also be signature pages at DG cycles and the Hotel Canobolas if you would like to sign them there.

Petition-Minimum-overtaking-distance

There is more information on the link below or some info below. It is important we support this initiative to improve the safety for all cyclists and road users so please sign it and either send it or drop it into DG Cycles or the Hotel Canobolas.

http://www.amygillett.org.au/ametrematterspetition

To The Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives

This petition of certain Citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to need for the Australian Road Rules to require drivers to provide a minimum overtaking distance when passing bicycle riders.

In 2013, 48 bicycle riders were killed, the highest number of bicycle rider deaths since 1997. Every year over 9,500 bicycle riders are seriously injured. While the overall road toll is decreasing, this is not the case for bicycle riders.

The human trauma costs of cycling in Australia are unacceptable.

We therefore ask the House to use all tools at its disposal to ensure the Australian Road Rules are amended to require that:

  • drivers allow a minimum of one metre when overtaking bicycle riders in speed zones up to 60km/hr
  • drivers allow a minimum of 1.5 metres when overtaking bicycle riders in speed zones over 60km/hr

This amendment, together with a public information and enforcement program, would significantly improve the safety of bicycle riders on our roads and maintain effectiveness and efficiency of the road transport system. The amendment will also contribute to the Government’s current Cycling and Road Safety Strategies, helping more Australians enjoy a safe cycling environment.

Thanks

Steve