Cycling groups say official papers show cycle safety is taking a back seat to easing roading congestion.
Documents show the Ministry of Transport briefed Transport Minister Steven Joyce on cycle safety in February.
The briefing papers state the Transport Agency prioritises congestion relief ahead of safety focused activities in the main centres.
The Cycling Advocates Network says that is not right. It says proven safety improvements could be made at a reasonable cost.
But Mr Joyce says the cycling lobby is failing to take into account the positive effect that easing congestion has on cycle safety.
