Cycling advocates in Charlottetown, including the Medical Society of P.E.I., are upset accommodation for bicycles is not part of a $5-million expansion of Riverside Drive.

'It takes a certain amount of width and there's certain regulations.'— Transportation Minister Ron McKinley

The new development includes a median and roundabouts, but no cycle lane. Dr. Jenni Zelin wrote a letter to Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley on behalf of the medical society. She told CBC News Wednesday the province isn't taking into account the impact cycling has on Islanders. "People aren't as active because it's not as safe to be as active in terms of cycling around town," said Zelin.

"It might be more dangerous to cycle on Riverside Drive as a result of these changes. I was pretty disappointed."

MacKinley said there is one reason there is no bike plan.

"If we had the plan, we don't have the room to do it," he said.

"It takes a certain amount of width and there's certain regulations you've got to go by."

But cycling advocates are not accepting that explanation. "Bicyling wasn't on the radar. Well it is today," said David Sims, active Transportation advocate with Cycling PEI.

"What we want to do is get the stakeholders around the table so we can look at the needs."

Sims and Zelin hope it's not too late to include a cycling plan in the Riverside Drive expansion.