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National cycling safety charity, the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) celebrates the Victorian Government’s amendment to road rules to specify the minimum safe space to give when driving passed a cyclist.Today, the Hon Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Roads and Road Safety is joined by AGF CEO, Dan Kneipp, RACV Senior Manager of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Kartsidimas and Bicycle Network CEO, Craig Richards at Fitzroy High School, Melbourne Victoria, to announce the change to Victorian road rules effective Monday 26 April 2021.
The updated road rule will require Victorians to leave a minimum of 1 metre distance when passing a cyclist in speed zones 60km/h or lower, and 1.5 metres when passing in speed limits over 60km/h.
The Hon Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Roads and Roads Safety said, “This new rule provides a clear direction on how much space motorists should give cyclists when passing. We all share the roads and need to look out for one another.”
AGF CEO, Dan Kneipp said, “We congratulate the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Ben Carroll, and the Victorian Government for their support for safe cycling and their commitment to making our roads safe for all road users.”
This update follows a two-year public education campaign in Victoria, ‘Give Cyclists the Space to Ride Safe’. Every other State and Territory in Australia has previously updated this road rule, with Queensland first introducing a trial of A Metre Matters in 2014.
Victoria is the final State to update this road rule after a national 10-year campaign launched by the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) in 2009. The A Metre Matters road rule clarifies the minimum space to give when driving passed a person cycling.
“A metre matters because it can save a person’s life, and these road rules will help our community avoid the terrible impact of road trauma. Giving cyclists safe space when you drive helps everyone stay safe, and most importantly it makes cycling easier and more enjoyable for Victorians,” said Mr Kneipp.
“We know safety is a major barrier for people who want to travel by bike in Victoria, and by improving our road rules, by continuing to invest infrastructure and in education, we will see more people choosing to ride and taking the pressure off our network,” said, Mr Kneipp.
A Metre Matters has broad community support, 9 out of 10 Victorians support the introduction of AMM (AGF Community Attitudes Research, 2016).
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) worked closely with the Amy Gillett Foundation on the consultation surrounding the introduction of the rule. RACV Senior Manager Transport, Planning and Infrastructure, Peter Kartsidimas said, “RACV welcomes the introduction of the minimum passing distance rule.”
“We continue to see an increase in the number of people riding their bikes as a way of getting around, keeping active, and exploring and connecting with their local communities.
“Many Victorians have told us they want to ride more, but they want to feel safe to do so.  The introduction of this rule will go a long way to ensuring all road users, including cyclists, are kept safe,” said Mr Kartsidimas.
From Monday 26 April, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) will commence a public education campaign to educate Victorians about the change to the road rules. This campaign includes helpful reminders, ‘if it’s not safe to pass, wait’, and ‘drivers, give the space to ride safe’.