CYCLISTS are calling for the right to ride along Rundle Mall when its upgrade is completed next year.

The state's peak cycling lobby group, Bike SA, says the success of the shared zone in Leigh St has proven that cyclists and pedestrians can mix safely.

Bike SA chief executive Christian Haag said the first step should be allowing cyclists to ride across the Gawler Place intersection and if that proved safe, along the length of the mall.

"I would like to think it would happen sooner rather than later," Mr Haag said.

"For anyone who has cycled in Europe, they know it is safe provided it is done in a respectful way."

Welcoming cyclists would be good for mall traders, Mr Haag said.

"I'm increasingly having conversations with representatives of government and retail precincts who understand the culture of shopping and cycling.

"Cyclists might spend less (than motorists) but they shop more frequently."

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Mr Haag said it was too early to say what an appropriate speed limit would be for riders.

Currently cyclists have to dismount when they reach the mall.

Rundle Mall Management Authority chief executive Ian Darbyshire said cycling should remain banned because of safety concerns but the mall should be as "bike friendly" as possible.

Mr Darbyshire said he wanted to create a cycling hub in a prominent laneway such as Gawler Place.

The hub would offer secure, undercover storage, a repair and spare parts service and a cafe for cyclists, and could be part funded from the City Council's "innovation fund" for projects in the mall precinct.

"It's just a matter of finding the right property," he said.

City worker Alex Bartle-Smith, 25, who rides to work from North Adelaide each day, said cyclists should be allowed in the mall.

"I think it's fine, if you ride slow enough no-one is in any danger. I can easily ride at walking pace," he said.

Cyclists are also set to benefit from a City Council plan allow them to ride legally in both directions on some one-way streets in what are known as "contraflow bikeways".

Pavement markings, signs and sections of green bike lane will be used to alert motorists to cyclists in Little Sturt St, Wilcox St, Compton St, Russell St and Owen St in the city's south, and Margaret St in North Adelaide.

"A number of cyclists already ride two-way in these one-way streets, without any crashes recorded, so the movement is just being legitimised," consultation documents on the proposals say.

"The one-way streets all have low traffic volumes and vehicle speeds which make these streets suitable for contraflow cycling."

There is already a contraflow lane in the State Government's Bank St makeover, with more planned by the council for Charlotte and Castle streets in the southeast corner early next year as part of the Frome St Bikeway.

Mr Haag backed the proposals as part of the council's creation of north-south and east-west bike routes across the city, but said progress should be faster.

Bike SA also supports Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood's campaign for a blanket 40km/h speed limit in town.

The council did not respond on the idea of cycling in the mall.

Do you think cyclists should be allowed to ride in Rundle Mall? Tell us below.

Originally published as Cyclists: Let us ride in Rundle Mall