Welcome to Amy Gillett Foundation e-news, providing news about cycling activities, events and road safety. The AGF is busy working to ensure that you, and those around you, are safe on the roads.
Amy's Ride
Click here for more details and to register
The Amy’s Ride Fundraising Challenge just got better! Everyone who raises $500 or more will receive a new AGF cycling jersey so you can show your support for road safety while you're out on your bike.
Raise over $500 and you will also go into the draw for your chance to win a 16 day cycling tour of Vietnam valued at $2400, courtesy of The Adventure Travel Company. (Conditions apply)
You have until 19 January 2009 to complete your fundraising, so what are you waiting for?! Click here to join the Fundraising Challenge and win great prizes.
If you would like to volunteer to help out on the day please contact us. The more support we can show the riders, the better the day will be.
Enjoy the day! Make sure you and your family and friends join us at the end of Amy’s Ride in Eastern Park. There will be rider showbags, ‘Go for your life’ activities, face painting, entertainment, food and fantastic prizes to be won. Spend the afternoon relaxing and watching the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic.
Albury will host the inaugural regional NSW Amy’s Ride as part of the Multisport AlburyCity on 7/8 March 2009 – one of the nation’s largest multi sporting events. Amy’s Ride (Albury) will feature two rides for cyclists to explore the southern region of NSW: a challenging 124km course and a moderate 40km course. Click here for full event details.
South Australia – Sunday 2 November
The inaugural Amy’s Ride in South Australia, presented by Bicycle SA on Sunday 2 November was a huge success with 2,000 participants riding the Southern Expressway, which was closed to all other traffic. The photo gallery is now online – click here to take a look.
Safety Tips
Santa will be delivering a lot of new bikes this Christmas. It’s important that the bikes (and all the accessories) are fitted correctly so cycling is safe and enjoyable. If you or Santa need some assistance, visit a Big W store where staff are trained to talk to you about the three-step Ride Right process.
Ride Right promotes safe riding amongst young and old. For example, it is recommended that you replace your helmet every 3 years or sooner if it has been subjected to any impact. For your own safety, perhaps a new bike helmet should be on your Christmas wish list this year.
Cycling Events Calendar
If you need a reason to get on your bike, a cycling event in your local area could be the inspiration you’re looking for. The AGF is the benefiting charity of several rides around the country – to find out what’s happening click here or visit one of the following websites:
- SUB Women’s Cycle Challenge St Kilda, Saturday 6 December
- Peter O'Callaghan Mt Dandenong Challenge Sunday 22 February
Cycling News
The idea of being ‘safe together’ on our roads is currently being debated in the City of Melbourne. Newly elected Mayor Robert Doyle campaigned with the pledge to re-open Swanston Street to cars, despite not having support from the State Government, public transport authorities or major planning groups. Most Melbourne City Councillors are also opposed to the proposal, preferring to make the thoroughfare more accessible for public transport, pedestrians and the estimated 4,000 cyclists who use Swanston Street each day. Councillor Carl Jetter, however, supports Mr Doyle’s idea, and is quoted in The Age as saying “I am sick of being run down by cyclists again and again”. The fate of Swanston Street will continue to be a hot topic in Town Hall.
In other news, the Swanston Street tour bus relocation has been delayed. Click here for an update from the City of Melbourne.
Get Involved
You can watch cyclists all year round with the new TWC09 Training Wheels Calendar. The calendar, featuring photographic portraits, aims to celebrate the talents of junior riders before they become names on the world stage. The concept of the calendar by Stewart Morton and Lucy Aulich came out of a love of cycling and a need to help create a safer road for both cyclists and drivers. Part proceeds will be donated to the AGF. Click here to view and purchase.
AGF News
2007-2008 Annual Report now available
The AGF’s 2007-2008 Annual Report is now available on our website, with hard copies being posted out during the next week. The report, designed by Floate Design Partners, is an overview of our activities and achievements for the last financial year. The theme of the report is ‘Counting the Cost’ and encourages cyclists and drivers to be visible to everyone when they are out on the roads.
Click here to download a copy of the Annual Report.
AGF Patron injured, but on the road to recovery
AGF Patron Mark Webber fractured his leg recently after colliding head on with a motor vehicle whilst competing in the mountain bike leg of his multi-sport charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge. Mark is a strong advocate of the AGF’s ‘safe together’ message and we wish him a speedy recovery.
AGF Activities
The primary objective of the Amy Gillett Foundation is to reduce death and injury between cyclists and motorists. Click below to learn more about our key programs and activities aimed at achieving this objective, including:
