Cyclists are complaining of being "squeezed out" of active travel options as the ACT Government erects bollards on Black Mountain Peninsula to block parking.
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Riders say the move closes off one of the most convenient hubs for active travel to the public and is at odds with the government's Park and Pedal policy initiative to encourage people to park out of the city, reduce traffic congestion and get daily exercise by jumping on their bikes.
Graham Knight drives in from his home in Higgins each day, parks on the peninsula and rides 15 minutes to his job in Civic.
He said this time last year the peninsula was blanketed with 2 hour parking zones which forced commuter riders to park in a scarce number of street side parks.
"The stupidity of the whole situation is people would not be parking outside of the gates there if they just opened up a few of the unused car parks in the designated parking areas," Mr Knight said.
He said if the government was sincere about encouraging the community to exercise it would provide convenient facilities and offer locations for rides that were less than a 10km round trip.
"To open the Park and Pedal at Lindsay Prior and close this more practical one is ridiculous," he said.
"Then to say Black Mountain Peninsula is not a designated Park and Ride. Well let's look at that. It is much more appropriate and a good ride distance. The further out from where you work the less likely people are to use the facility regularly."
A Transport Canberra City Services spokesman confirmed bollards were being erected at the intersection of Garry Owen Drive and Lady Denman Drive to prevent people from parking on the verge and nearby public land.
"This is not a parking area and illegal parking on site was causing erosion. It was also a potential safety risk with parked cars blocking sight lines," the spokesman said.
The government has committed $8.9 million for cycling infrastructure in the 2017-18 budget, but reiterated Black Mountain Peninsula was not a designated Park and Pedal trial site.
"The site is popular with short term users throughout the day and there is a need to continue to provide capacity for these short term users," the TCCS spokesman said.
The government's five Park and Pedal sites comprise close to 135 car parks.
"The car parks all provide free parking, good connections with major road networks, and off-road paths to nearby town centres," the spokesman said. "Each site offers a bike ride of around 30 minutes to key work locations."
