CAIRNS cycling advocates have weighed into the next phase of the Share the Road campaign, with education now the top priority.

Roundabouts from Machans Beach to Smithfield will be widened with dedicated and separate cycle lanes built, the Department of Transport and Main Roads said on Friday.

It follows a statewide recommendation by the State Government last November, which said motorists would have to give cyclists at least 1m clearance, increasing to 1.5m on roads where speed limits are more than 60km/h.

But the Cairns cycling fraternity believes the next step is to educate motorists and cyclists on road rules, in an attempt to change driver's attitudes towards cyclists.

Triathlete and regular cyclist Lisa Monks said a joint effort was needed to keep everyone safe on the roads.

"Not all cyclists do the right thing and neither do all motorists. What we need is mutual awareness," she said.

"It's not all about us saying you need to be more careful, it's about both looking at each other's perspectives and realising roads are there for everyone to use and the road rules need to be obeyed by both sides."

Barron River MP Michael Trout is planning to tackle the issue head on, addressing the issue of road rule re-education.

"I'm going to put out a campaign over the next few months on roundabout rules," he said.

"A lot of people are very hazy on the rules of roundabouts.

"It's a major thing that the Transport Department needs to look at with licensing.

"Especially with learners, we need to be on the front foot with roundabouts and training."

Meanwhile, the state's peak motoring body, the RACQ, has called for courtesy to be a top priority on the roads.

It said research into on-road accidents between cars and cyclists had shown this to be a significant need.

RACQ technical and safety policy manager Steve Spalding said the research revealed those who cycled regularly experienced motorists tailgating, passing too closely and honking horns.

"Cyclists were also found to behave discourteously or illegally ... for example not keeping to the left, pulling out in front of and cutting off drivers and riding three or more abreast when not overtaking," he said.

"Common courtesy is the key to ensuring that all road users share our roads in the safest and most efficient way."