The number of Christchurch cyclists injured because of earthquake-damaged roads has increased significantly since 2010, ACC figures show.

The February 2011 quake caused serious damage to the city's roads, which are still littered with potholes and roadworks.

One ACC claim was from a cyclist whose wheel was caught in silt after a quake.

Another was pushed into a pothole by a car swerving.

The ACC has assisted 265 injured Christchurch cyclists this year, including 25 injured by the surface they were riding on. Twenty-three cyclists, or 5 per cent of claimants, suffered such injuries in 2010, and 33 cyclists, about 7 per cent, were hurt last year.

Canterbury Cycling Development Trust chairman Darron Charity said the figures were "absolutely believable".

"I have a good friend who was badly injured coming out of a pothole," he said. "Cyclists are having to swerve all over the shop to avoid them."

Charity is campaigning for cycling to become a focus of the city's rebuild. He said contractors should survey roads by bike so they become aware of the dangers.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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