Marilyn Johnson, a research fellow at Monash University's Accident Research Centre, said a recent study of footage compiled from helmet-mounted cameras showed 87 percent of near-crash events were the fault of motorists. She said she was most alarmed by how rarely drivers looked for cyclists, and called for a change of emphasis in safety programs. “Cycling safety campaigns usually focus on changing cyclists' behaviour, where the emphasis should be on changing driver behaviour,” Ms Johnson said. “If a driver cuts you off or opens their door in front of you, there's nothing you can do to change your behaviour in that situation. Those two examples and so many I see are about changing driver behaviour.” Bicycle Network Victoria maintains it is safer to ride than ever as the increase in crashes has not matched the rate of participation. Figures last month showed more than one million people cycled weekly in Victoria, the highest riding rate in Australia.

Peter Cameron, an emergency physician at The Alfred hospital, said cyclists had little protection on roads and were vulnerable to serious-impact injuries. Among those he treats daily are cyclists who suffer facial fractures, head injuries, shattered shoulders and internal injuries. "I quite enjoy bike riding along the river but riding on crowded roads without a segregated bike path is verging on suicide," Dr Cameron said. VicRoads says $14.5 million worth of bicycle improvements will be delivered this financial year, and continues to raise awareness about bicycle safety and road sharing through initiatives such as October's Safe Cycle month and Ride to Work Day. However, Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive Tracey Gaudry said raising awareness had to be enduring, as participation increases did not translate to safer riding. “We are all for more cycling, but our cause is about life and death,” Ms Gaudry said.

“Sometimes our message about skill and safety is at odds with organisations promoting cycling because we'd rather see a safer environment before more people ride bikes. “We currently see safety is compromised by more people riding bikes without enough of the focus going hand in hand.” Ms Gaudry said the foundation's “metre matters” campaign – which calls on governments to set a minimum legal distance between cars and cyclists - had reached three million Australians and helped reduce aggression levels in Melbourne compared to other Australian capitals. However, many cyclists maintain there is still far too much hostility. John Gould, a passionate safety advocate and bike shop owner, said Melbourne road users could learn tolerance from their overseas counterparts.

“I've ridden in probably 20 countries and I find Melbourne the second-worst place I've ridden in [after Istanbul],” he said. “A lot of those countries don't have many cyclists but they're still a lot more considerate … I was probably on the only bike in Slovenia and holding up traffic going up hills. But no one tooted, everyone knew it was only 10 seconds of their lives. “Here there's lots of carry-on: 'Get out of my way'. The utes love to play chicken with you, I see lots of incidents. The road is a shared carriageway and we've got to share it.” Mr Gould said he also made a point of ticking off cyclists who broke road rules, as they gave the wider cycling group a bad reputation among drivers. Bicycle Network Victoria also supports government-sponsored safety campaigns, but spokesman Garry Brennan said improved infrastructure was the key.

“We know that many places where aggravation occurs it's because of a problem with infrastructure: the bike lane disappears, the road narrows or there's a badly-designed roundabout,” he said. Mr Brennan said Melbourne's road engineers were among the best, although it was up to councils to allocate more funding towards bicycle-friendly foundations. Sergeant John Travagliani, of the Victoria Police bike squad, said the level of angst was no worse than the interaction between motorists. But he said drivers had to be more aware of cyclists, particularly when they got out of parked cars without checking mirrors. Cycling groups nominate opened doors as a classic example of a minor action with the potential for major damage, and where education could have a significant impact.

Christian, who was close to losing the movement in his left arm when he crashed into a suddenly opened car door in Chapel Street two years ago, said he was irked by how little had been done to eradicate a pet hate of many riders. “I know the TAC spends some money on aspects of bicycle safety, but the car door is an issue that's swept under the carpet, to a degree,” said Christian, who declined to give his surname. The RACV says motorists and cyclists have to learn to live together. "Cyclists are legitimate road users and like motorists and pedestrians are entitled to share the road," the motorist group's acting manager for roads and traffic, Emily McLean, said. "Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians need to respect each other as well as the law, and with safety in mind, be alert to each others presence and needs.

"With an ever-increasing number of cyclists and vehicles on our roads, governments at all levels need to develop appropriate infrastructure that provides safe and efficient travel for all users." Loading The RACV recommends that cyclists make themselves visible by wearing bright clothing and using lights when appropriate, and to make eye contact with other road users whenever possible. The Transport Workers Union did not respond when asked what could be done to improve relations between drivers and cyclists.