Over 200 cyclists did a lap of Lake Wendouree on Thursday afternoon as part of a call for greater respect on the road and to show support for Mr Ashby, who was critically injured last week after a car drove into him head-on and then drove off. 

Organiser David Berry said they were pleased with the turnout. 

“We were hoping for big numbers, and we’ve got that,” he said, also highlighting the variety of cyclists there. 

“That’s what it was all about. Everybody who rides a bike, or even walks for that matter, should be allowed to do so in safety,” he said. 

Most of the riders wore signs to show they were more than a cyclist; they were a cyclist and a mother, grandfather or partner to someone. 

Deputy Mayor and commuter cyclist Belinda Coates said it was a great idea, as some drivers did not see cyclists as people but as annoyances slowing them down. 

“These signs are fabulous, just reminding people that it could be you, it could be your partner, wife, husband, child, friend or workmate who’s injured,” she said. 

“I’m about most days on my bike...I just hate it when I see that people have seen me, and they go anyway. It happens really regularly.” 

“You wouldn’t do that to someone you know.” 

Fellow organiser Matthew Kaess said it was about putting the idea of a whole person on the bike. 

“We’re just trying to personify who we are rather than it just being a bunch of lycra-clad bike riders. You know there’s kids going to school, there’s mums commuting to work. I might be a father-of-three and a cyclist, but first and foremost I’m a father-of-three,” he said. 

Former road cyclist Angela Higgins brought her mountain bike, which she turned to after decided road riding was too risky. 

“I was disgusted but not surprised (about Mr Ashby’s accident),” she said. 

“Most of the people here would have been targeted like that.” 

Ms Higgins said now the only injuries from riding were those for which she was responsible.