Research carried out for the Cycling Advocates Network has found middle-aged and older people account for a disproportionate number of cycling deaths on the roads.
Canterbury University senior transport lecturer Dr Glen Koorey examined 73 cycling deaths from the past six years for the network.
He found 30 of the deaths were the fault of motorists, while 15 did not involve a motor vehicle.
His study found 34 of the deaths occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80 km/h or more.
Dr Koorey says the average age of those who died was 47, while the average age of those who cycle is about 30.
He says the over-65 age group accounted for 18 deaths, nearly a quarter of the fatalities, despite accounting for only 5% percent of cycling travel.
Dr Koorey says generally older and young cyclists who died were found to be at fault.
The findings will be submitted by the Cycling Advocates Network to a coroner's inquest which is looking into nine cycling deaths.
