As A Meter Matters legislation is set to come into effect in Victoria this year, The Courier takes a close look at why it matters so much.
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The successful A Metre Matters campaign that began with the death of Buninyong cyclist Amy Gillett has friends, family and advocates hoping for a new era in road sharing.
This is the final story in a three-part online series.
Buninyong-based Simon Gillett said the one-metre rule change was not a "magic bullet", but a key step along the way to improved cyclist safety and road use.
Mr Gillett created the foundation in memory of his wife, a member of the national cycling team, who was killed on a training ride in Germany in 2005.
The passing rule is one the Amy Gillett Foundation has championed since 2009 across the nation, including on road race days for the Australian cycling road nationals in Buninyong.
Mr Gillett said it was frustrating Victoria had taken so long to adopt the changes, based on extensive research, when other states had made a move on the same information presented.
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He said you could never truly gauge whether having the passing rule would have saved every cyclist on Victorian roads who had been killed or injured in incidents with passing cars. But research showed it could only make it safer for road users going forward.
"It's certainly better to have this rule in place than not," Mr Gillett said. "What we need to ensure are follow up rules to enforce this passing rule.
"A lot of cyclists these days ride with cameras in their lights. While this does not show a measurement, it does give a clear indication if someone is passing within one metre or 1.5 metres. There has to be follow-up.
"The law is another step in reinforcing to motorists that cyclists are legitimate road users but also cyclists have a responsibility on the road to do the right thing."
The law is another step in reinforcing to motorists that cyclists are legitimate road users but also cyclists have a responsibility on the road to do the right thing.
- Simon Gillett
Pandemic conditions this year increased cycling popularity and Mr Gillett hoped the passing rule, and safety awareness it generated, would continue to foster more people cycling.
Mr Gillett said it was amazing to see Buninyong footpaths full of children riding to school every day. He said potential was there for a love and appreciation of cycling to grow.
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