An average of 180 cyclists are injured and two are killed on Manitoba roads every year, according to MPI. (Don Ryan/Associated Press)

Cycling advocates worry an increase in the number of riders on the road could translate into a higher toll of deaths and injuries among cyclists.

Officials with Bike to the Future say the lobby group's surveys of major arteries into downtown Winnipeg suggest that more than 5,000 people commute by bicycle, an increase of 17 per cent over last year.

That meshes with Statistics Canada's information from the 2006 census, which indicated 5,760 Winnipeggers commuted by bicycle in 2006.

Bike to the Future spokesman Dave Elmore said the increase is good news — but the problem is many of the new cyclists don't know the rules of the road.

"People don't see cycling education as being necessary. They've ridden them all their lives. They consider them to almost be a toy," he said.

"We're seeing a lot of cyclists who haven't had a lot of experience, other than riding to the park with their kids, out there commuting back and forth and riding into downtown. And they don't necessarily have the training or experience."

No adult education available

Part of the problem, Elmore said, is that there is nowhere in Manitoba for adults to receive instruction or training.

The Canadian Cycling Association's CAN-BIKE courses, which offer information on traffic safety, equipment, maintenance and riding skills for adults, are not currently offered in Manitoba, although Elmore said efforts are being made to revive the program here.

Elmore suggests Manitoba Public Insurance is responsible for road safety, and that perhaps the Crown vehicle insurance agency should help fill the void.

"It would make common sense that MPI would get involved in educating cyclists, because an educated cyclist would be a better cyclist and a safer cyclist, and that would reduce claims," Elmore said.

An average of 180 cyclists are injured and two are killed on Manitoba roads every year, according to MPI. The corporation paid out $8.2 million in injury claims for cyclists hit by vehicles in 2006, a fourfold increase since 2002.

If MPI spent even a fraction of that amount on cyclist education, Elmore said, the number of injuries and deaths could be reduced.

MPI responsible for autos, not bicycles

But MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said the corporation's mandate is automobile safety.

"Obviously we can't be everything to everyone," he said. "Cyclists need to remember that as the public automobile insurer, we are obligated to providing funding towards safety towards automobiles."

Both Smiley and Elmore agreed that bicycles are vehicles and, as such, are legally obligated to obey the rules of the road.

"Cyclists are riding at night wearing dark clothing and not a light to be seen," Smiley said. "That is not a safe situation. Many cyclists are driving down Portage Avenue, 7:30 in the morning, doing erratic lane changes. Now, again, that's not a wise move. So a lot of the onus will lie with the cyclist."

Despite the acknowledged problems, however, officials with Winnipeg police told CBC News they had not handed out a single ticket to a cyclist this year.