The council has received $50,000 provisional funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency for a study of a possible cycle way between Caversham and Wingatui, via two old railway tunnels.
Before the council can use the money, it must provide the agency with "terms of reference" for the study.
However, transportation planning manager Don Hill said staff were "fully occupied with the parking review so do not have the resources to get on to this.
I expect to be in a position to get the study under way so the work proceeds early in 2010."
Mr Hill said similar work on other roading projects was also affected, but he expected all the work would be done in time to allow the results to be considered by the council before the 2010-11 annual plan was finalised.
Last November, the council's infrastructure services committee recommended a review "on the issues and funding" associated with the use of the old rail tunnels for pedestrians and cycleways "be carried out in the 2009-10 year".
Caversham Tunnel Supporters Group spokesman Gerard Hyland said he would be "bitterly disappointed" if council staff could not "ask for the free money after being told it's available.
This is not encouraging people to get out walking and cycling, or addressing cycling within the council's transport strategy."
At the announcement of the new parking strategy in February, Mr Hill said one of its aims was to encourage more people to walk, and use buses and bicycles.
mark.price@odt.co.nz
