Dublin representatives have refused to accept the latest - the eighth - proposal for a Liffey Cycleway.
Attempts to find acceptable routes for a 6km cycleway from Dublin Port to the Phoenix Park have now been ongoing for six years.
Councillors and sectoral representatives on the Transport Committee declined to pass Option 8 which involves a boardwalk for cyclists in Arran and Ellis Quays saying they needed more information.
Option 8 was proposed after north city residents expressed concern at Option 7 which involved diverting cars off Arran and Ellis Quays through Stoneybatter,
This would have allowed the construction of a two way cycle track along this section of quays where there are only two lanes. The other lane would have been for buses.
The council's head of Technical Services Brendan O'Brien said Option 8 with the boardwalk would cost up to €3 million extra.
And a modelling report submitted just before the meeting found that traffic diversion as a result of Option 7 would have "negligible" effect on air quality in the north west city while increased noise would be confined to 41 residences on North Brunswick St.
Some councillors expressed concern at the increased cost for the scheme which was already estimated at €20 million.
There were also concerns at potential conflict with pedestrians where the cycleway would emerge onto the quays at Liam Mellows Bridge.
Colm Ryder of the Dublin Cycling Campaign predicted that cyclists would ignore the boardwalk and use the quays.
The committee voted to ask for reports on the environmental, traffic and financial impacts of both Options 7 and 8.
The reports are due to be presented in October.
