Cyclists share Calgary's pathway system with pedestrians, joggers and in-line skaters. (CBC)

Calgary city council has rejected a bid by an alderman to raise the speed limit for bicycles on the city's pathway system.

Ald. Ric McIver proposed allowing cyclists to ride faster than the current 20 km/h limit in a bid to encourage more commuting by bicycle.

But on Monday, council voted 12-2 against the motion, with some feeling that a higher speed limit would create more safety problems. The pathways are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters.

However, McIver said he will continue to try to find other ways to encourage more cyclists to commute in Calgary, such as lanes for cyclists only.

"In some cases, I'm sure it does mean dedicated lanes. We have to look at the costs, we have to look at where the road widths allow for it and where they don't. We have to consider the costs," he said on Monday.

"Right now, splashing white paint around on a few roads is good for the advertising, not so good for the cyclists in many cases."

Ald. Brian Pincott, who commutes by bike every day, had said it can be frustrating to slow to 20 kilometres per hour when the pathways are empty.