A $30 million bicycle link through Melbourne’s north-east that planning experts have urged the Napthine government to build as part of the East West Link is in doubt after Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the bike trail mostly fell outside the project boundary for the road.

The four-kilometre path between the Chandler Highway in Kew and Alexandra Parade in Collingwood would create a direct bike route between Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs and the city, reducing journey time by an estimated 20 minutes.

The proposed North East Bicycle Corridor would go from Kew to Collingwood.

The expert committee that assessed the East West Link recommended the trail, called the North East Bicycle Corridor, be included in the final design for the road. The trail was designed and proposed by community cycling group the Boroondara Bicycle Users' Group.

“The Linking Melbourne Authority should ensure that the final design for the project incorporates a north-east bicycle corridor along the Eastern Freeway and an extension along Alexandra Parade,” the committee said in its report.