A witness in a smaller bunch of cyclists had watched Mr Abbott's bunch of about eight riders pass his group, and heard the sound of a long, angry blast, followed by the woman in her red Hyundai, about 8am on Wednesday near the Yacht Club.

Mr Abbott had then flagged over a nearby Australian Federal Police officer in a white BMW, who was seen later speaking to the woman.

Former Yarralumla resident Daniel Ferri says the woman's behaviour was dangerous and outrageous, but trying to drive to work in the morning on the road in question, motorists did not encounter neat single-file lines of cyclists who could safely and courteously be passed.

"You find yourself behind a scrum, three or four wide that block the lane, chatting with one another and making it impossible to pass safely," he said.

"It is infuriating. If cyclists rode single file, cars could pass safely. But since they don't, cyclists render the road unusable for others," Mr Ferri says. "Cyclists, of which I am one, deserve to use the road. Motorists must pass them safely, but cyclists must also put courtesy for other road users above their desire to chat with their lycra-clad mates."

He says an excellent bitumen path runs parallel to the road for cyclists to use.

"The ACT cycling regulations also state, "It is recommended that cyclists ride in a single file (unless overtaking another cyclist)." That recommendation is rarely followed. I'm pro-cyclist, but am anti, boorish, rude, pack behaviour," Mr Ferri said.

Australian Cycle Alliance president Edward Hore says the ACT Government recommends riding two abreast. Single file is 'encouraged' on certain roads. A spokesman for ACT Roads confirmed this.

Mr Abbott's office declined to comment. An AFP national media spokeswoman said: "There will be no comment on matters of protection." An ACT Policing spokeswoman said ACT police were not involved. Wednesday's eye-witness says Mr Abbott's bunch were in single-file.

Another reader, Greg Donald said: "Seriously mate, is this not just a lame attempt by the Abbott camp to get some good media? The woman, the motorist, the cyclist. No named source? Didn't make me warm and fuzzy towards our version of George Bush jnr."

Mr Donald, a veteran cyclist who has spent most of his 58 years on roads throughout several continents reckons Mr Abbott and his lycra-clad buddies deserved everything the woman had given them - and some.

"That entire stretch of road is single carriageway, narrow and has several extended and blind bends with a double centre line throughout. No car can safely overtake two or more cyclists riding side-by-side," he said.

"Thoughtless and arrogant even when he's out of the House!"

Pedal Power chief executive John Armstrong said if riders and motorists observed the road rules, and provided space for one another, "the world would be a happy place". Mr Armstrong said cyclists could ride in either single file or pairs.