Overtaking motorists would be obliged to keep at least a metre away from cyclists 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.

The cross-party Upper House committee recommended legislating so drivers have to leave a one-metre gap when overtaking at speeds of 60 kilometres per hour or less, and 1.5m at higher speeds.

"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 chairman Joshua Morris said.

"Cyclists are at times placed in very dangerous situations and at present the law isn't there to protect them."

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

The Greens have introduced a bill to the Parliament's Upper House that is designed to reduce accidents caused by side-swipes, rear-ends and near-misses.

Greens spokeswoman Samantha Dunn said Victoria was lagging behind most other states, which have introduced minimum overtaking distances.

"I think it will absolutely save lives," she said.

"Cyclists are very, very vulnerable road users. It's important they have the greatest protections they can."

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said VicRoads already advised motorists to leave a one-metre or 1.5 metre gap, but he would not say if the Government would legislate.

"The most important thing is to separate cars and bikes," he said.

"In due course, we will have more to say about the minimum passing distance."

Difficult to enforce, opponents say

Mr Donnellan said Victoria Police, VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission had raised concerns about how to enforce any change.

The Economy and Infrastructure Committee received more than 170 submissions, most of which were in favour of minimum passing distances.

Opponents argued they 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 them, and research to evaluate their impact.

It also recommended a campaign to remind drivers that cyclists are allowed to ride two-abreast.

The Government has six months to respond to the committee's 17 recommendations.