A growing number of cyclists are getting injured from collisions with vehicles, according to Manitoba Public Insurance numbers obtained by CBC News.

The public auto insurer's statistics show that between 2008 and 2010, the number of reported incidents involving injured cyclists in the province rose from 142 to 219.

The cyclists' injuries ranged from scrapes and broken bones to brain injuries. Six deaths were reported.

"It's frightening out there right now. I've never seen so many close calls," said Brian Burke, who owns Olympia Cycle and Ski on St. Mary's Road in Winnipeg.

This week, a 68-year-old cyclist died following a collision with a vehicle on York Avenue and Main Street in the city's downtown.

Burke said more of his store's customers have reported getting hit, and his staff have been repairing more bicycles that have been damaged in collisions.

A study released last month by Bike to the Future found that nearly 13,000 people are commuting by bicycle in Winnipeg on a daily basis this year.

That figure is up by 47 per cent compared to last year, and up 64 per cent since 2007, according to the non-profit cycling advocacy group.

While there have been more cyclists on Winnipeg streets lately, Burke said that has created more tension between motorists and cyclists.

He said that tension is evidenced "by how close they're coming, by the fingers you get as they drive by, by them yelling at you … by them throwing tins of pop at you."

Driver-training and cyclists

Meanwhile, an advocate for cycling is calling for changes to the driver education program and the addition of bicycle safety.

Dave Elmore, from Bike to the Future, said he believes teaching new drivers how to interact with cyclists would be a good start.

"There should be much more as well in the driver education program so that young drivers are learning how to interact properly with cyclists," he said.