The champion racer from Dubbo said it was disturbing that a distance would need to be mandated but she was also concerned 14 cyclists were killed in collisions recorded on NSW roads last year.

One of those was a former Dubbo man whose death at Wallsend in August is a matter set for mention in the Newcastle Coroner's Court next month.

An increase in fatalities across Australia has prompted a call for the federal government to approve a minimum overtaking distance of one metre and yesterday it gained Ms Dunn's support.

"It really upsets me . . . I'd like to think (drivers) would like to give one metre so they don't risk a life," she said.

"It should be commonsense, but if that's what it takes to get that one metre."

As a 19-year-old, Ms Dunn shot to fame when she won two gold medals at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games but injuries sustained from training falls in 2011, including being hit by a car, forced her to spend time away from the sport.

Her experience with the collision and as a driver has given her new insight into safety.

The potential dangers were "definitely" on her mind as she went out to ride.

Yesterday she encouraged all road users to work together to prevent fatalities and injuries.

"As a driver myself I'd rather wait a couple of minutes until it was safe to pass," she said.

"Is it worth it to get somewhere two minutes sooner, but risk someone's life."

Ms Dunn said pot holes, the direction of the wind and other factors could affect a rider and were beyond control, but she urged them to take all steps available for their own safety.

"I'm the biggest advocate of fluro clothing," she said. "I used to think it was daggy, but I remember driving one day and seeing someone in fluro from a long way back."

Dubbo-based Garry 'Gus' Dawson, the coach of Ms Dunn and other rising stars, also supported the minimum distance and caution.

He said it had to be a "two-way street" between cyclists and motorists.

Safety was an issue close to his heart since the death of his brother, Percy, at the age of 13 while out on a training ride in the 1960s.

"Cyclists have been a threatened species for a long time," he said.

National cycling advocacy and safety organisation the Amy Gillett Foundation and elite road cyclists at the weekend threw their support behind a petition by Cycling Tasmania calling on the federal government to approve a minimum overtaking distance of one metre.