Research has revealed some drivers see cyclists as literally not human, which some use to justify dangerous behaviour against bike riders on the roads.

The study by researchers at Monash University, QUT’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q) and the University of Melbourne, surveyed hundreds of drivers across Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

As part of the research motorists were shown either the famous March of Progress chart depicting the evolution of humans to show what they thought of cyclists, or a modified version using a cockroach instead of an ape.

New research has found more than half of drivers surveyed regarded cyclists as less than human. Credit:Eddie Jim

Lead author Dr Alexa Delbosc from Monash University said it didn’t matter which chart was used; a portion of drivers regarded cyclists as less than human.