BICYCLE Network Victoria is calling on the state government to make good on a commitment to complete the Carrum to Warburton trail — specifically, the missing link between Bayswater North and Mt Evelyn.
The link of about 7.1 kilometres, promised in 2010 as part of the Coalition's election campaign, would be the final piece of the trail of nearly 100 kilometres.
BNV said that despite the government assuring earlier this year that the project was under way, there had been no movement or interaction with councils or other stakeholders.
BNV facilities development manager Jason den Hollander said residents should continue lobbying the government to get the track built.
"There is a whole lot of nothing going on," he said.
"The benefits and upsides to this project are great."
Local resident Gordon Longridge is a member of the U3A Croydon Bicycle Group and rides regularly with the Croydon Middle Distance Bicycle Club.
Mr Longridge said that to ride the Carrum-Warburton trail at the moment, cyclists must risk riding on busy roads such as Mt Dandenong Road, Hull Road and Maroondah Highway.
"It takes a lot of nerve to go on these roads," he said.
"There are a number of roads that link you back to the trail but none of them are ideal.
"The trail at the moment is already about 90 kilometres and they are quibbling over just a few more kilometres."
A Department of Transport spokeswoman said the missing link was a priority project for Victoria's cycling network.
She said a new cycling strategy was being developed by the state government that would underpin plans for the metropolitan trail network and the principal bike network.
Maroondah Council director of community and leisure services Jenny Scicluna said the trail was a state government project and the council did not have an estimate on its cost.
The council, however, did undertake a feasibility study in 2006 into building a shared path along a 3.3-kilometre section of trail between Bayswater and Glen Dhu roads and estimated it would cost about $1.5 million.
"The council will continue to work in partnership with the state government on the cycling project, and is understanding of the significant design and management issues that need to be resolved prior to the project being undertaken," Ms Scicluna said.