Mainstreet Whanganui is concerned a new shared pathway through Whanganui will create a bypass to Victoria Ave.
The organisation which represents central business district property owners and businesses has called for measures to retain Victoria Ave as an alternative pedestrian and cycle route when the new shared pathway goes in.
Construction of Te Tuaiwi (the spine) shared pathway, which will run from London St to the City Bridge, is due to begin this year and much of it will run along St Hill St.
But Mainstreet general manager Amanda Gibbons told the Whanganui District Council's statutory management committee considering the council's active transport strategy that Victoria Ave was also a "natural spine" for pedestrians and cyclists.
"The town centre is a pedestrian focused zone that allows traffic," she said.