Imagine having an umbrella thrown at you during your morning bike ride.

Key points: Townsville is one of the fastest-growing cycling cities in Queensland

Townsville is one of the fastest-growing cycling cities in Queensland Questions have been raised about whether police are doing enough to protect cyclists

Questions have been raised about whether police are doing enough to protect cyclists Cycling groups are calling for stronger law enforcement and improved infrastructure to reduce tension

That was the case for 66-year-old Townsville man Tony Sinardi — one of the latest victims in the ongoing battle between bikes and cars.

"Virtually every day [motorists] give you a hard time. They cut across you," Mr Sinardi said.

"You are forever hitting the breaks to avoid an accident. You've got no idea."

It is not the first time Mr Sinardi has come off second best. He said he sustained a spinal injury in a hit and run about 15 years ago.

Peak bicycle bodies said Townsville was one of the fastest growing cycling cities in Queensland.

The latest census data shows 1.4 per cent of Townsville residents ride to work, compared to one per cent of both Queensland and national populations.

"It really has exploded. It's the new golf," Mr Sinardi said.

But more bikes has lead to further aggravation on the road.

Tony Sinardi sustained an injury when a motorist threw an umbrella out of the window at him while he was cycling. ( ABC News: Sally Rafferty )

"We get people throw stuff out of their car window at us, hurl abuse. It's pretty terrible," Townsville Cycle Club treasurer Marcus Monteith said.

"They just call us 'stupid cyclists'.

"We have kids in our groups as well and they don't want to hear that sort of vulgar language either.

"Unfortunately it always takes someone being seriously hurt to change the perception and to change the rules and regulations."

Enforcing road rules to protect cyclists

Questions have been raised about whether police are doing enough to protect cyclists.

Officers have been accused of failing to enforce the state's one-metre passing laws and now the Queensland Police Service's Ethical Standards Command is reviewing a number of cases.

In a letter to Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan, Bicycle Queensland highlighted what it described as several oversights by police in their response to cyclists' complaints of cars breaking the passing rule.

The law requires motorists to give a minimum of one metre when passing a bicycle rider in a 60km/h or less zone or 1.5 metres where the speed limit is over 60km/h.

There are claims police are failing to enforce the one-metre passing law. ( ABC News: James Maasdorp )

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service said: "The Crime and Corruption Commission has referred a matter to the Queensland Police Service in relation to the enforcement of bicycle laws."

"The Ethical Standards Command is assessing how best to consider and respond to the issues raised in the referral."

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said she hoped the review would lead to a "radical improvement".

"All of us deserve to get home alive," Ms Savage said.

"We hope to see much stronger enforcement to protect the safety and wellbeing of cyclists on Queensland roads.

"Over the past five years since the introduction of these laws the cycling community in Queensland has been badly failed."

More infrastructure could improve safety

There are calls in north Queensland for new and improved infrastructure which could reduce tension on roads.

"Infrastructure certainly has not been developed at a rate to keep up with demand for cycling and the potential for it to grow," Ms Savage said.

Townsville is believed to be one of the fastest growing cycling cities in Queensland. ( ABC News: Sofie Wainwright )

With no criterium circuits outside of the south-east corner, Cycling Queensland CEO Sean Muir said the region was at a disadvantage.

"Basically an off-road, no traffic environment where riders can race or even ride around, learning skills and gain experience to ride their bikes safely," Mr Savage said.

Despite the lack of infrastructure, north Queensland cycling groups said children participation was increasing.

About one-third of the Queensland team for the upcoming junior national cycling championships is made up of Townsville youth. ( ABC News: Sofie Wainwright )

But Mr Monteith said a criterium track would boost numbers further, shape the next generation of cyclists and hopefully lead to more harmony on the road.

"I think getting kids early into cycling, they learn how to use the roads properly," Mr Monteith said.

"So hopefully that will filter through to road users in general."