Auckland Transport is copping criticism for a cycleway plan that will cost eight million dollars a kilometre

The 144 million dollar project will build 18 kilometres and is eight times more expensive per kilometre than Wellington's cycleway.

Transport lobby group Greater Auckland spokesperson Matt Lowrie says the cost is mostly due to Auckland Transport wanting to use building methods which save parking.

He says this will just be the beginning.

Lowrie says the 18 kilometre route is just a drop in the bucket if we want to make a cit which is safe for cyclists.