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Safe car passing legislation proposed

Proposed laws to make motorists leave a safe distance when over-taking bike riders will be introduced in parliaments across Australia, including WA.

A safe distance would be deemed to be one metre on roads with a 60km/h speed limit and 1.5m on faster roads.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren will introduce the legislation in WA.

"Every year in Australia, an average of 35 bicycle riders are killed and more than 9500 are seriously injured," Ms MacLaren said.

"Passing laws will cost us nothing but will make us safer for our kids to ride to school."

Many European nations and almost half the States in the US have safe-passing laws.

Heinrich Benz, from the WA Bicycle Transport Alliance, said 90 per cent of cycling deaths involved a motor vehicle and safe-passing laws would make cycling safer.

Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive Tracey Gaudry said everyone had the right to ride safely.

"Legislation supporting a minimum overtaking distance is one of a number of connected initiatives to foster greater acceptance of cycling in our culture and help drivers and bicycle riders share our roads more safely," she said.

The foundation, which aims to reduce death and injury among bike riders, was formed after the death of cyclist Amy Gillett when she was hit by an out-of-control car in Germany in 2005.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the WA Government's preferred approach was for motorists and cylists to share road space with respect and courtesy.

He said WA drivers were taught to keep a safe distance from cyclists and to give them at least one metre clearance.