Cycling enthusiasts are calling out Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver for choosing to drive his electric car — rather than hopping on a bike.

Weaver was asked — upon leaving Government House in Victoria yesterday in his electric car — why he didn't bike to the event.

His response caught the attention of cycling advocates — during Bike to Work week.

"All the way from Gordon Head — in a suit?" he quickly responded, referring to the Saanich neighbourhood where he lives.

According to Google Maps it takes 18 minutes by car, 31 minutes by bike and 43 minutes on a bus to travel the nine kilometres from Gordon Head to Government House.

The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition says it's the wrong message for the veteran climate campaigner to send out during Bike to Work Week.

"We understand the sentiment behind Weaver's statement, but the reality is far different," said spokesperson Corey Burger. "There are many already in the capital region who bike to their destination in everyday attire and work clothes, including suits."

When it was mentioned Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson rides his bike in a suit to appointments, Weaver responded "Well, okay," as he drove off.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson shown in Copenhagen in 2009, is a long-time supporter of cycling and bike lanes and has often been spotted biking around Vancouver in a suit. (Jens Dige/The Associated Press)

Burger noted the main barrier to riding to work is a lack of cycling infrastructure such as bike lanes — not business suits.

"Currently the province of B.C. spends about $2 per British Columbian per year on bike infrastructure via the BikeBC program. Without provincial money, local governments struggle to find enough money to build the all ages, [all] abilities bikeways that their residents are asking for."

Yes, you can bike in a suit, say members of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition. (@GVCC/Twitter)

Weaver responded to the group's tweet with a tweet of his own, accusing the bike advocates of misquoting him in a press release.

He did not respond to the group's call for more funding for bikes lanes.