A cycling group says new laws in Queensland today make it easier for drivers to understand their responsibilities when passing cyclists.

From today, drivers across the state must stay one-metre away from cyclists in areas up to 60 kilometres per hour and 1.5 metres away in faster zones.

Offenders face a $330 fine.

Drivers are now permitted to cross the centre line, when safe, to overtake cyclists.

However, Transport Minister Scott Emerson says the practicality of new cycling road rules will be assessed during a two-year trial.

Mr Emerson says the rules need to be tested.

"That's why I said let's have a trial - let's see how practical they are to enforce," he said.

"They are already in place in Europe and many states of the United States, so it's not something that's unique.

"But that's why I opted for a trial and rejected the findings of the bi-partisan Parliamentary committee to bring them in permanently."

Police to give motorists time to get used to the law

Police say they will be targeting motorists who fail to obey the new road rules aimed at better protecting cyclists.

Senior Constable Russell Parker from Mackay police says Operation Cycle Safe will run over two days.

"They'll be out there enforcing the new rules and talking to motorists obviously that are flouting the rules," he said.

"We don't expect there will be a huge finding of people that aren't adhering to the rules.

"We think that most people by and large will do the right thing because they have been doing the right thing for a long time."

He says the new laws allow motorists to cross centre lines.

"By slowing to a safe speed - and that is obviously not coming along and sitting on 100 kilometres an hour so slowing down - having a look, judging the position of the bicycle, and then you are momentarily able to cross over that line," he said.

Senior Sergeant Brendan White from Townsville police says officers will give motorists some time to get used to the new law.

"It'll take a bedding-in time - we plan to take a bit softly, softly effect in regard to it until both cyclists and motorists get used to it," he said.

"Motorists can also cross double lines, single, unbroken traffic and painted traffic islands and lane splits, as long as it's safe.

"We're not sure exactly how we'll trigger that measurement just yet - it'll be a bit of a learning curve.

"Obviously if they're 900 millimetres from a cyclist, but a person says 'no, I wasn't - I was 1.2', it's a bit of grey area.

"We've got to work out how we'll do it as well."

Call for roads to have bike lanes

However, Bicycling Mackay spokesman Peter McCallum says road engineers also need to take note of the changes.

"They should be providing proper bike lanes," he said.

"A lot more people will cycle if there are provision of those type of facilities and it almost obliges traffic engineers to provide for cyclists, otherwise they'll end up with a situation where there's a lot of traffic congestion.

"Making the roads better for cyclists through engineering is probably the best outcome that will come of all this."

Mr McCallum says the laws make it easier for drivers to understand their responsibilities.

"Some people have been very unsure what to do around bikes and they weren't sure whether to slow down, speed past close to the bike rider, or whatever," he said.

"Now they know - if you come up to a bike rider, slow down and pass when it's safe."