Motorists would have to give cyclists at least a one-metre buffer when overtaking under changes to road rules recommended by a Victorian parliamentary committee.

Eighty cyclists were killed and more than 13,000 injured in Victoria between 2004 and 2013.

Drivers would have to leave a one-metre gap when overtaking at speeds of 60km/h or less, and 1.5 metres at higher speeds, if a bill introduced by the Greens passes the Parliament.

“This would provide a buffer between motor vehicles and cyclists that should reduce the number of accidents and should reinforce the message that motorists need to recognise the vulnerability of cyclists on the roads,” the committee’s report said.

Minimum passing distances are designed to reduce accidents caused by side-swipes, rear-ends and near-misses.

Under the current road rules, motorists must leave “sufficient” passing distance when overtaking bicycles.

Opponents to the proposed changes argued minimum passing distances were impractical, would slow traffic, increase tension on the roads, and be difficult for police and the courts to enforce.

Some were concerned the proposed law would increase the number of head-on collisions.

A change would bring Victoria’s road rules into line with Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and the ACT.

Preliminary data from Queensland and surveys of road users from a number of jurisdictions suggested the rules had increased cyclist safety, the committee said.

The committee said the changes would need to be accompanied by an education campaign to make drivers aware of the rules, training to help police enforce the rules, and research to evaluate their impact.

– ABC