An Ecology Ottawa report is urging Ottawa to put a moratorium on all new road construction. (CBC)

The City of Ottawa needs to stop building new roads and instead invest in cycling and transit infrastructure, according to a report released on Friday.

The report, prepared by the non-profit environmental group Ecology Ottawa, argues the high costs of roads needed to service urban sprawl are directly related to spiraling taxes and increased greenhouse emissions.

Report author Matthew Paterson, a professor at the University of Ottawa, wants to see a moratorium on new road construction.

"[The city] spends the majority of its budget providing for car drivers and it's set us on a path that is fundamentally unsustainable in financial, social or environmental terms," he said.

The report says the city has to send a signal to developers that urban sprawl can't continue.

Paterson envisions a future where "the obvious thing to do is to get on the bike or get on the bus or to walk, and to drive becomes stupid."

He wants the $1.5 billion designated for road construction over the next 10 years to be redirected to bike paths and public transit.

However, mayoral candidate and current city councillor Alex Cullen argues the city is too divided for such a plan.

"Face it, we've got councillors from suburban areas whose residents are pushing for more roads because they don't like spending a lot of time in their car jammed up," Cullen said.

"And you've got urban councillors who don't want the traffic coming through their neighbourhoods, so it's not black and white."

Ottawa resident and bike courier Jeannie Temple said it would be dangerous if everyone rode a bike.

"I don't know what they're thinking. A lot of people on bikes, they have no idea what they're doing."

Bus rider Arthur Stoyles, who lives in a new subdivision in Barrhaven, said new roads will be required regardless.

"I mean we have to build the roads even for the buses to get out of those places without the infrastructure. I mean, how are they going to do it? They can't fly."

It's expected the Ecology Ottawa report will be placed on the council agenda for next month.

The group is hoping the report and the idea behind it become hot topics in this year's municipal election.