Sydney cyclists consider class action

Olympic cyclist Ben Kersten has called the driver accused of causing a mass pile-up of riders a "lying dog" over claims engine problems were to blame for the crash.

Kersten, one of 20 professional cyclists injured in Thursday's incident in Sydney, says it was a deliberate act.

Riders involved plan to launch a class action against the driver to cover thousands of dollars worth of damage caused to equipment in the crash.

Cyclists say the motorist braked in front of the group, sending them sprawling across South Dowling Street near Sydney Airport, and then sped off.

The driver, identifying himself as only as Jason, called Sydney radio denying he was a "cyclist hater" or that he had deliberately pulled up in front of the pack.

"I'm not a cyclist hater, I'm not nothing," Jason told Macquarie Radio.

"I was just driving along and I had a car failure and now I'm in trouble - I dunno."

Jason said his car is both petrol and gas-powered and an engine problem caused it to stall as he overtook about 40-50 cyclists, who were in the roadway's left-hand lane.

But Beijing hopeful Ben Kersten, who suffered an elbow injury, was quick to reject the driver's claims.

"Mate, you're a lying dog. You are a liar and you are going to get caught for it," Kersten said, while Jason remained on the line.

"You were doing 60 kilometres an hour and then stopped to zero ... what you did was ridiculous.

"Who takes off after they accidentally cause such damage - who isn't remorseful?"

Police have questioned a 34-year-old western Sydney man over the incident, but have not laid charges.

Regardless of criminal charges, riders say they will go ahead with a class action.

Glenn Vigar says he was at the rear of the pack when a driver with "a chip on his shoulder" braked in front them.

"We are going to take a class action against this driver," he told AAP.

"What's happened is I've instructed a barrister who is taking the matter on for us.

"He wants all the different persons' equipment and clothing quoted on with official quotes.

"I'm the person putting that list together. We're looking at 30 or 40 grand, minimum."

He said double Olympic champion Michelle Ferris, who was at the head of the pack, ended up on top of the car after the incident.

"Her cycle has a broken frame and running gear - broken seat and wheels - you're looking at nine to 10 thousand dollars worth of damage just for that one bike," Mr Vigar said.

"He (the driver) braked that heavily the front of his car dipped down and the back went up in the air as the cyclists hit it.

"I'm positive this guy had a chip on his shoulder."

The incident happened at about 6.45am (AEST), the start of the busy peak hour traffic period on the arterial road.

Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal said cyclists were legally allowed to use the roads at any time, but added it was "not helpful" for them to ride at peak times.

"I would have thought it was probably better if they weren't interrupting peak-hour traffic, but most cyclists are responsible and don't cause traffic issues," Mr Roozendaal told reporters.

Mr Roozendaal plans to meet with Cycling NSW next week to hear its concerns.

Senior NRMA adviser on road safety Anne Morphett said large packs of cyclists should split into smaller groups to allow motorists to overtake safely.

But she admitted Australian drivers were not as good as Europeans at sharing the road.