A petition submitted to Moray Council, calling on the local authority to help reinstate a cycle path between two communities in the region, has attracted thousands of signatures.
Biking campaigner Neil Jeronim and other residents living in Forres and Brodie have long been asking for the roadside path between the two Moray communities to be refurbished.
The cycle path, running alongside the A96, has gradually become overgrown and unsuitable for cyclists.
The campaigners had previously asked Transport Scotland to clear it, but claim that the infrastructure body denied the path existed.
Now they have chosen to ask Moray Council to step in and clear the path, and Mr Jeronim said he had gathered 2,5000 signatures on his petition to the authority.
Mr Jeronim explained that he and a friend had met with north-east MSP Richard Lochhead regarding the issue.
He said: “When Jim Rodgers and I met with our MSP, we inspected sections of said path, which led to Richard Lochhead being surprised to find the path was tarmacadam.
“Richard and I agreed that we would cycle the path together once the path was reinstated. We then sealed this agreement with a handshake.
“Seven years later, we have still not cycled the path, with Transport Scotland still denying the path ever existed.
“Letters to Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers are ignored, and passed on to Transport Scotland, which is like asking the fox to look after the chickens.
“Clearing that path is something the community keeps asking for, but we’re not getting anywhere.”
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said: “Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of the A96 Dualling programme, including the Inverness to Nairn scheme.
“This is currently being progressed as part of the design development of the preferred option for this scheme.
“We awarded the £30million design contract last year for the 19-mile section between Inverness and Nairn and proposals for non-motorised users, including cyclists, are being developed.
“We recognise the contribution local and user groups can play and, as such, we have set up community council and non-motorised user forums to provide updates on emerging proposals and also to seek vital feedback.