In 2005 288 cyclists were hospitalised and covered by the TAC after a crash involving a motor vehicle. 

That number soared to 386 by the end of 2014. The increase in Ballarat cyclists injured by motorist was less dramatic – but they showed that male, middle aged cyclists were over represented in the injury toll. Thirty eight TAC hospitalisation claims were made by cyclists in Ballarat between 2005 and 2015. Twenty eight of those claims were made by males. The highest number of claims were made in 2010 and 2013 – which each recorded six claims. Four claims were recorded in 2014 and three in 2015. Amy Gillett Foundation chief Phoebe Dunn urged all road users to be conscience of each other.

“We are aiming for zero deaths (of cyclists) on the road by 2020,” Ms Dunn said. “We are working really hard to achieve that and are keen to ensure that the government invests in legislation and in infrastructure.”

The majority of claims over the 10-year period were made by middle aged men, between 40 and 59 years old. Children aged zero to nine were also over represented in the claims statistics. 

In rural Victoria, 690 cyclists made TAC hospitalisation claims between 2005 and 2014, with 38 per cent of the crashes occurring when the vehicle and cyclist were travelling in adjacent directions.

Thirty five per cent of cyclists injured on rural roads were aged 40 to 59, while 16 per cent were aged 60 plus. 

TAC manager Samantha Cockfield said it “is our ultimate aim to have zero people killed or seriously injured on roads.” She said the best way to keep cyclists safe was by completely separating them from cars through bike lanes – to which investment in infrastructure remains key.

Ballarat cyclist David Berry last week said all drivers and cyclists had to show mutual respect when riding on the roads.  Ms Dunn said we must remember cyclists are “legitimate road users”.