The Bicycles Advocacy Group (Malta) has expressed concern about an increasing number of cyclists being hit by car doors.

It mentioned incidents on Constitution Street in Mosta, Mikelanġ Sapiano Street, Żebbuġ, and near misses along the Strand in Sliema.

In the most recent accident, in Żebbuġ, a cyclist was thrown three metres down the road with such force that his crash helmet split, the group said.

It was “almost impossible” for cyclists to avoid a car door flung open in their path and this was a potential hazard when riding alongside parked cars.

The group urged car drivers to keep a lookout for cyclists, while cyclists should try to keep clear of the doors.

This meant riding a little further out into traffic, while using bright colours and lights at night time would help make riders more visible to car drivers.