The new rule makes it mandatory for motorists to give riders at least a metre clearance when overtaking on roads up to 60kmh, and 1.5m on roads with higher speed limits.

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The Amy Gillett Foundation has been campaigning for a decade for the minimum passing distance.

A metre matters because it can save a person's life, and these road rules will help our community avoid the terrible impact of road trauma," said Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive Dan Kneipp.

"Giving cyclists safe space when you drive helps everyone stay safe, and most importantly it makes cycling easier and more enjoyable for Victorians.

"We know safety is a major barrier for people who want to travel by bike in Victoria, and by improving our road rules, by continuing to invest infrastructure and in education, we will see more people choosing to ride and taking the pressure off our network."

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