The 269 signs will be rolled out across popular cycling routes to alert motorists to the presence of cyclists and urge them to pass at a safe distance.

One design is for speed zones up to 60km/h showing a recommended safe passing distance of one metre and the other showing a recommended safe passing distance of 1.5 metres for speed zones above 60km/h.

Road Safety Advisory Council chairman Jim Cox said the advisory signs would reinforce what motorists already knew.

‘‘It gives motorists an indication to leave a metre - the road is for everyone and we share,’’ Mr Cox said.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said cyclists were particularly vulnerable on the state’s roads.

‘‘That’s why to complement the new signs the government has changed the Tasmanian road rules to allow motorists to cross centre lines to pass cyclists, when safe to do so,’’ Mr Hidding said.

Last year, Mr Hidding announced the government would not legislate on the one-metre rule for passing cyclists, but would monitor trials in Queensland.