Otago University researchers have created an interactive online map of places cyclists have been injured or killed by car doors opening.
The researchers say the map could be used by planners and traffic engineers to make roads safer.
Otago University's Injury Prevention Research Unit has mapped 245 car door collisions between 2007 and 2011 by combining Google Maps software with data from police and the Ministry of Transport.
The unit's director, Professor Hank Weiss, says the map automatically identifies how serious a crash was and has already been used to identify problem areas on Tamaki Drive in Auckland, Victoria Street in Hamilton and Riccarton Road in Christchurch.
Professor Weiss says the researchers are treating the map as an experiment to see how useful such tools are for improving public safety.
He says if it's successful, his team may make more maps in the future using other government statistics.
