Bike ride to honour Dutch cyclist killed in Melbourne

Cyclists have ridden along Melbourne's Chapel St to pay tribute to a Dutch woman killed in a bike lane earlier this month.

Cyclists in Melbourne are holding a ride for Gitta Scheenhouwer, 27, who was killed in a hit-run. (AAP)

Up to 150 Melbourne cyclists have paid tribute to Dutch rider Gitta Scheenhouwer, who was killed after being hit by a stolen car while riding in a bike lane on a busy inner-city road.

The group gathered on Tuesday morning for a memorial ride along Chapel St, where 27-year-old Ms Scheenhouwer was struck in a bike lane on August 12.

"It's a memorial ride to remember all riders that we've lost on our roads, we're all vulnerable," the Australian Cycle Alliance's Edward Hore told AAP.

Members of Melbourne's Bicycle Network ride past a memorial for Dutch cyclist Gitta Scheenhouwerrk. Source: AAP

City of Stonnington Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos addressed the riders before they set off, saying he wanted to remove car parks along the length of Chapel St to make way for a dedicated and separated bicycle lane. 

"Vehicles can go on a side street. You guys are more important, as are pedestrians," He said.

The Liberals' candidate for Prahran, Katie Allen, wanted to see minimum passing distance laws brought in in Victoria.

Ms Scheenhouwer was remembered as a "sweet, spontaneous, cheerful" woman after being struck while riding in a Chapel St bicycle lane. 

A homeless man, 26-year-old Michael Panayides, was later charged with culpable driving causing death and failing to stop after a crash.