An $8 million, award-winning stretch of tree-lined street in central Geelong, which was designed to keep cyclists safer, will be partially ripped up after the council decided it was causing too much congestion for cars.

Key points: The first phase of the Geelong green spine was only completed in 2018 but council last night voted to change it, costing ratepayers $2 million.

The first phase of the Geelong green spine was only completed in 2018 but council last night voted to change it, costing ratepayers $2 million. Mayor Stephanie Asher said the separate bike lanes were causing too much traffic congestion

Mayor Stephanie Asher said the separate bike lanes were causing too much traffic congestion State MPs from all three major parties have slammed the decision, with Bellarine MP Lisa Neville threatening to take future funding away from the council.

The 200m stretch of Malop Street, which runs through Geelong's main shopping precinct, was given the costly makeover in 2018 in a project jointly funded by the State Government and the City of Greater Geelong.

The 'green spine' removed some parking spaces and car turning lanes, replacing them with two separate bike lanes, alfresco seating and gardens.

But on Tuesday night, the council narrowly passed a motion, 6 votes to 5, that would see one bike lane removed and turning lanes and parking spaces reintroduced — at a cost of $2 million.

The decision has infuriated state politicians, with local MP Lisa Neville, who is also a senior member of Cabinet, threatening to freeze funding for any CBD projects run by the City of Greater Geelong.

She said the Government would even consider making Malop Street a state government road so the council could not rip it up.

"We spent the $8 million of taxpayers' money and now they are about to spend $2 million to rip it up — it's unacceptable," she said.

"Everything is on the table to make sure that they cannot overturn a decision that they supported every step of the way."

Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher is a cyclist herself, but voted in favour of the changes. ( ABC News: Nicole Mills )

Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said the decision was made after complaints from the community.

"We believe these changes will help get traffic moving again, without compromising the aim of the project, which is to create a greener, more attractive city centre," she said.

Cr Asher also hit back at the State Government.

"It's unfair to expect our community to leave their cars at home when they don't have access to high-standard bus services or other public transport," she said.

"In both cases the need for progress is urgent, but the funding and timelines are in the State Government's control, so the council's hands are tied.

"We can only do what's in our power to help workers, shoppers and visitors get into and through central Geelong as efficiently as possible."

Business owner fears more construction

Cafe owner Yeti Kumbukage loves the trees along the green spine. ( ABC News: Nicole Mills )

Yeti Kumbukage's Sri Lankan cafe Rook fronts the green spine.

He said business was down during the project's initial 11-month construction, which he described as "a nightmare".

"It was hard for us to get by that second year we were expecting so much … and the road was closed," he said.

"It's been very tough."

Mr Kumbukage urged the council not to proceed with more works without providing support for businesses.

"Thinking that we have to go through the same trauma again, I'm scared," he said.

"We want to stay in business but this [road] being closed for a few months will not make that happen."

Greens MP Sam Hibbins labelled the decision "ludicrous".

"It's not the first time we've seem some councils get the heebie jeebies about a new bike lane," he said.

"If Melbourne or Geelong are going to be liveable cities in the future then we need to get more people riding their bikes, particularly families, and that means separated bike lanes."

Liberal MP Louise Staley said the council should "make decisions and stick to them".

"I personally wish they would just stick to what they put in and not keep changing it," she said.

Bike group labels it 'backwards step'

The project won an Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture award in 2019. ( ABC News: Nicole Mills )

The Malop Street green spine was a winner in the Civic Landscape category of the 2019 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture National Awards.

It was described by the voting jury as a "shining example of how traditional retail streets can become inviting public spaces during the day and at night".

Bicycle Group Geelong spokesman Simon Howell said the decision to remove one bike lane in favour of cars was disappointing.

"We believe there is sufficient parking, these bike lanes don't impact on the use of the major shopping area and I think it seems to be a very backward step by the council," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"Cycling infrastructure in Geelong is generally very poor and that's a major barrier for people getting on their bikes."

As a ratepayer, Mr Howell also feared the council's decision to rip up sections of the green spine would impact the city's ability to attract future government funding.

"This has enormous repercussions," he said.

"This is a real risk for future state government funding."

Cyclist Tony Gleeson said the changes were a waste of money.

"More and more cities that are really serious about sustainability, and aren't just talking about it as a feel-good thing, are getting rid of cars from their CBDs," he said.