ABC News: Kathleen Dyett
)Adelaide City Council has voted against installing a separated bikeway across the CBD after years of deliberations.
The 8-3 vote taken on Tuesday night means the council will miss out on $3 million in State Government funding towards the $5.8 million project.
The east-west bikeway would have gone along Franklin Street, Gawler Place and Wakefield Street, connecting with the Frome Street bikeway in the eastern side of the CBD.
The State Government funding was contingent on the council approving plans for the project by the end of the month.
The tight deadline led to a condensed consultation period last year that upset businesses and the Greek Orthodox community, which has a church and a bingo hall on Franklin Street.
Both groups were worried about losing parking spaces.
Councillor Robert Simms said the decision was disappointing.
"It's really, really important, I think, that council shows leadership on cycling infrastructure and that we roll it out across our city," he said.
"Sadly, we're not going to see that happen during this term of council and I think that's really disappointing."
ABC News: Sowaibah Hanifie
)Councillor Greg Mackie said consultation was lacking and the plan as it was would have created "enduring angst" in the community.
"We actually need a more fully considered, consulted and integrated approach to how we achieve a workable north-south-east-west [network]," he said.
Councillor Arman Abrahimzadeh said like most councillors, he supported a bikeway but not in the location proposed.
Adelaide City Council celebrated Driver's Month in November in a bid to encourage shoppers back to the CBD after a fall in visitors during coronavirus restrictions in autumn and winter.
The council decision came after lawyer Greg Griffin wrote to the council on behalf of businesses opposed to the bike lane.
"Everybody has had enough of this matter continually arising," he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Tuesday.
"No-one wants this bike lane. It will have a catastrophic effect in terms of businesses on Flinders Street."
Mr Griffin said the population of Adelaide was primarily suburban, meaning it was "very different" to European cities renowned for their bike paths such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
