The number of cyclist deaths related to hitting car doors as they open should be tackled by encouraging the 'Dutch reach' method, a charity has said.

The danger of cyclists being killed by people who do not look behind them before opening car doors has been highlighted by charity Cycling UK.

The charity wants people to embrace the 'Dutch reach' method, whereby car occupants open the door with the hand furthest from the exit, in so doing limiting how far the door can open.

Over the last five years, eight people - mostly cyclists - have died due to the issue, sometimes known as 'car dooring'. Thousands more have been injured, according to official statistics.

Cycling UK’s chief executive, Paul Tuohy, said, “Some people seem to see car-dooring as a bit of a joke, but it’s not and can have serious consequences.”

Mr Tuohy said the charity “wants to see greater awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door negligently, and people to be encouraged to look before they open”.

Both drivers and passengers can be fined up to £1000 if they are found guilty of a 'car dooring' offence.

A taxi driver in Leicester was fined £955 in June after his passenger opened the door of his taxi, hitting a cyclist and knocking him into the path of a van, which killed him. The passenger was fined £150.

The penalties have been criticised as being minor, given the circumstances.

In the Netherlands, where cyclists are ubiquitous, drivers and passengers have long been taught to open car doors with their far hand, which causes them to turn their body and look behind them. This method also prevents them from opening the door fully.

Mr Tuohy said the method “could be successfully encouraged in the UK”.