Prominent Canberra cycling group Pedal Power ACT has backed a controversial plan to make Bunda Street in Civic a shared area, with pedestrians, cars and bicycles given minimal signage or line marking.
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According to the proposal from consultants GTA and Macgregor Coxall, a 10km/hour speed limit would be set and ''all road users will have to actively navigate the area, avoiding conflict with others''.
The plan is one of three in an ACT government design competition for the redevelopment of Bunda Street, part of a $6 million Civic Cycle Loop that will circle the centre of the city.
Pedal Power ACT communications manager Matt Larkin said all the proposals had merit, but the GTA and Macgregor Coxall plan was the most logical option.
''It facilitates the free mixing and flow of people, bikes and cars in an environment in which all move around safely,'' he said.
''It proposes setting a speed limit that will ensure all groups feel safe and will enhance a vibrant street life in Canberra without preventing access for anyone.''
Mr Larkin said similar schemes had worked well overseas, including in London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin. ''These are cities that have larger populations and larger volumes of traffic than Canberra.''
He said Pedal Power ACT had discussed the plans with the ACT government in the regular meetings they had together.
On Wednesday the ACT government released a new map for Canberra's walkers and cyclists, without most of Civic Cycle Loop redevelopment.
The updated Canberra and Queanbeyan Cycling and Walking Map indicates a shared-use path along Marcus Clark Street, but has marked Rudd, Bunda, and Alara Streets as ''connector streets.''
Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development Simon Corbell said the previous map had been released five years ago and was due for an update, and paths that had not yet been completed were left out. ''That's part of a growing city, there will always be things that are growing, changing and developing.''
Mr Larkin welcomed the updated map, and said next on Pedal Power's wish list was a completed cycle path around Lake Burley Griffin, more paths in Kingston and Jerrabomberra, and a new path to replace that collapsed in front of Duntroon.
About 8.50am, an hour before Mr Corbell's announcement, a cyclist and a pedestrian collided on Alinga Street, Civic.
The pedestrian bumped her head and was taken to Calvary Hospital for observation.
