The number of cyclists who died on NSW roads doubled in 2013, with 14 lives lost compared with seven in 2012.    

Cyclist-related crashes have continued in the new year, with two hit-and-run crashes in one day.    

A woman was in intensive care on Sunday night after a truck hit the back of her bike at Kemps Creek in Sydney’s west.  

Police are still searching for the truck driver.    

On the same day a cyclist was injured in a hit-and-run at Helensburgh, south of Sydney.

He suffered multiple fractures and was also placed in intensive care.Police believe that they have found the car involved in the crash.    

A 23-year-old woman is assisting police, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Greens NSW transport spokesman Mehreen Faruqi wants to see a road rule recommending a one-metre passing distance between drivers and cyclists enforced in legislation.

The Greens put forward a notice to introduce a bill regarding the one-metre rule in state parliament last July.

‘‘It is clear that there is a problem in NSW regarding the safety of cyclists, with the number of cyclist deaths doubling in 2013,’’ Dr Faruqi said in a statement. 

‘‘This doesn’t even include the instances of regular harassment and near misses that cyclists deal with each day.

‘‘These two last terrible instances of hit-and-runs on cyclists reveal the very real risks cyclists take every day.’’

Advocacy group The Amy Gillett Foundation has led a campaign with Bicycle NSW also calling for a one-metre rule to be legislated.

Amy Gillett was an Australian competitive cyclist hit and killed by a motorist while cycling in Germany in 2005.

Bicycle NSW CEO Alex Unwin said anything ensuring a greater distance between vehicles and cyclists was clearly a good thing.

‘‘And one thing we can do is to legislate to ensure that distance is left,’’ he said..    

Comment has been sought from Roads Minister Duncan Gay.    

AAP