Media release - ACT puts walking and riding first amygillett.org.au/actreport The Amy Gillett Foundation today applauded the ACT’s Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services for delivering a suite of recommendations to improve the safety of vulnerable road users, with a significant emphasis on bike riders. Tracey Gaudry, CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation said the recommendation to introduce minimum overtaking distance legislation when drivers pass bike riders was a terrific step forward. “The Committee has shown a genuine desire to improve safety for the ACT’s vulnerable road users, including the willingness to implement measures that address both current road users and those of the future with school based initiatives,” said Ms Gaudry. “The recommendation to amend road rules to require a minimum distance by drivers when passing bike riders shows a determination to act on the evidence presented to the Inquiry rather than await the outcomes of a similar trial in Queensland. “The report also focusses on our young people, with consideration for all ACT school children to receive bike education and training. This is an excellent development. “The proposal to amend the drivers licence test to provide greater focus on vulnerable road users will deliver long-term and long-lasting improvements to road safety for all road users. “The recommendation to develop a uniform code of conduct, based on the Victorian Sharing Roads and Paths resource, demonstrates the recognition of the benefits of multiple stakeholder groups working together,” concluded Gaudry. The AGF will in time provide a more comprehensive response to the full 28 recommendations and will seek to work collaboratively with the ACT Government on any implementation.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 03:26:08 +0000