MOTORISTS and cyclists need to respect each other to ensure safety on local roads, says Bathurst Cycling Club president Toireasa Gallagher.

Ms Gallagher called for co-operation on local roads following the death of Mudgee woman Jill Bryant, 57, in a crash on Sunday morning.

Ms Bryant died after the bicycle she was travelling on collided with a Ford utility on Cassilis Road.

Ms Gallagher said many motorists have a bad "attitude" when it comes to cyclists.

“Somebody has died and I don’t know the circumstances ... it’s the attitude a lot of people have,” she said.

“They’re not as fast as a car, and a lot of motorists get stuck behind a cyclist and they have to wait to take over.”

Mrs Gallagher said Vale Road south of Bathurst is a particular concern, with the area a popular spot for cyclists.

Perthville resident Milton Naylor said he is one of many residents in the area frustrated by cyclists’ riding habits.

He said he often encounters large groups of riders at dawn or dust, and many of the bicycles do not have head or tail lights.

“They expect cars to avoid them but they ride two or three abreast,” he said.

“If you had a brain you’d be riding in daylight.”

Over the years Mr Naylor has had two “close calls” with cyclists and he said he is “fearful” of further encounters due to the increased popularity riding.

“Bikes are popular, but no-one wants to see someone end up dead,” he said.

Mrs Gallagher said there can be just as many “bad” cyclists as motorists and both groups need to share the road in a safer manner.

“Cyclists need to be aware of how much they hold up a car,” she said.

Cycling NSW chief executive officer Phil Ayres said proposed national legislation to adopt ‘a metre matters’ will help all road users stay safe.

The legislation, currently on trial in Queensland, insists motorists allow a minimum of one metre space when passing a cyclist.

For speed limits of 80km/h and above, this is extended to 1.5 metres.

“As much as anything it’s a statement to road users that you do need to respect people on bicycles,” he said.

“The vast majority of accidents are caused by a lack of understanding and a lack of respect, cyclists are very, very vulnerable road users.”

Mr Ayres said if the legislation is adopted across Australia it will need to be accompanied by an educational campaign similar to when seatbelts or random breath tests were introduced.

For the future Mrs Gallagher hopes the current “bad feeling” between the two groups of road users starts to lift.

“It’s a human life and being conscious of going too close to someone, you could knock them off and kill them,” she said.

“I’m just hoping we all stay upright.”