Gold medallist supports road safety initiative

Scott McGrory, gold medal winner in cycling at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, joined a cycling organisation earlier this year to inform and enlighten kids on the issue of road safety.

The organisation, YOUANDI-RIDE, is fundamentally committed to the safe-keeping of children on bikes, but also promotes cycling as a healthy activity that will help reduce childhood obesity. In addition, cycling is promoted -- along with car-pooling -- as beneficial to the environment.

As a newly-appointed ambassador for the organisation, McGrory drew the attention of dealer principal for Barloworld Mercedes-Benz, Andrew Harlock.

"We were first involved in cycling when Barloworld sponsored a team in the Tour de France, in 2006," says Harlock. "This year Barloworld is a top flight team and are serious contenders for gold in France so we are glad to be strengthening our alliance with the cycling community."

The multi-franchise retailer has outlets in Melbourne and Sydney, with new premises under construction in Moorabbin to supersede its current Brighton facility -- one of two Mercedes-Benz yards the chain operates in Melbourne.  The new premises is due to open in October, which is also when the new cycling safety initiative is due to commence.

With the dealer's interest in cycling and the road safety campaign catering to children living in the same hinterland, it was a perfect fit for Barloworld to offer support to YOUANDI-RIDE and McGrory in their efforts to reach out to younger cyclists.

"We are very excited to be working together with industry leaders such as Barloworld Mercedes-Benz, to lead the way in educating and supporting not only the current group of road-users (cyclists and motorists) but the next generation through our After School Care Program," says McGrory.

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