Wagga shoppers have suggested an underutilised bike lane could be a solution to Fitzmaurice Street's parking shortage.
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Collingullie resident Russ Meyers said the road's bike lane had taken up space that should be used for angled parking, claiming cyclists often choose to ride down the streets parallel to the shopping strip instead.
Although Wagga council has "done a great job" transforming Fitzmaurice Street, Mr Meyers said the business district is not able to boom to its full potential until the problem of parking was fixed.
"Businesses need the space, but these bike lanes aren't used and take up so much room that could instead be used for parking," he said.
However, Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said opting for angled parking, therefore removing the bike lane, was not an idea he could get behind.
"I think it would change the whole atmosphere of Fitzmaurice Street," he said.
Cr Conkey said the council has worked hard to beautify the precinct to ensure it was not a "poor cousin" to Baylis Street. It has been so successful that it caused problems as far as parking is concerned, he said.
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"We have created a situation where it is extremely popular," he said. "I don't think (angled parking) is a solution to only get a few extra parks. We need to go further afield and look at other options.
"Of course there is the option to utilise the beach car park and walk along the levee bank to Fitzmaurice Street. Unfortunately, people just don't want to walk."
Wagga cyclist Glenn Ross said there needs to be a blend of bike lanes and separate cycling paths, which the council is currently working on as part of its Active Travel Plan.
However, Mr Ross said removing the Fitzmaurice Street bike lane "would not be a great loss" if the council were to get rid of it.
"That bike lane is not particularly good because cyclists ride really close to the line where parked cars open their doors into them," he said.
Although he feared angled car parks would become a dangerous hazard for cyclists if drivers reversing cannot spot riders approaching.