The chair of the Winnipeg Trails Association says the city and the province aren't delivering on a promised commuter cycling route along the city's rapid transit corridor.

Construction began Monday on Phase 1 of the 3.6-kilometre high-speed bus lane that will run from The Forks to Jubilee Avenue.

Paul Jordan, chair of the trails association, said for years the plan presented by the city included a bike lane alongside the corridor, but during public consultations a few weeks ago, the most recent plan showed the bike lane dead-ending at the Osborne Street underpass, just south of Winnipeg's "confusion corner."

According to Jordan, the 500-metre stretch of underpass is too narrow for cyclists to keep a safe distance from traffic. "We're just going to be putting a lot of people into a dangerous situation," he said.

Continuing the bike lane through the underpass may be costly but it will be well worth it for the safety of cyclists, Jordan said.

He wants transit planners to consider more cycle-friendly alternatives.

"We've never really been involved in the process — 'we' meaning the bike groups and the recreational trail users," he said.

"Can we take a look at it? Are you aware, the planners of this thing, that you really are creating a dangerous situation? And have you got a plan for that? Because right now we don't see it."

Mayor Sam Katz said Jordan is mistaken and cyclists will not be forced to ride on the road at all.

"They'll be able to access the sidewalk, which will be signed for bicycles [and pedestrians]," he said. "And it's only in the interim, because it would cost $15 million to make that accommodation [on the roadway] right now, but there are plans to redo that entire underpass."

He said the long-term plan for the transit corridor will include a complete, uninterrupted bike trail.

But Jordan said the sidewalk is far too narrow for both cyclists and pedestrians and that too, will create a potentially dangerous situation.