NEARLY nine out of 10 accidents involving cyclists and cars in Australia are the fault of the motorist.

Research also recommended introducing road rules enforcing safe passing distances for cars.

Drivers were at fault in 87 per cent of incidents with cyclists and most did not realise they had behaved in an unsafe manner, according to the Monash University Accident Research Centre and The Amy Gillett Foundation.

The three-year study used helmet cameras to determine the main causes of incidents involving cyclists. It found almost 90 per cent of cyclists travelled in a legal way.

Conversely, drivers changing lanes and turning left without indicating or looking were the cause of more than 70 per cent of the incidents.

"There is a strong argument to introduce a rule that prescribes a safe passing distance [at least 1m]," foundation chief executive officer Tracey Gaudry said.

Originally published as Cyclists in the clear on accidents