Wellington Council is copping backlash for spending over $84,000 on a bike rack that goes largely unused.

Reports claim the bike rack only sees an average of just 2.7 bikes per week - even during busy days.

One Wellington cyclist, Richard Martin, has lambasted this move as the council warns of rate hikes and water shortages.

"We're facing 17 percent rate rises and we're also being told that we may have to conserve water next summer because the pipes still leak - and the council goes and spends $84,000. I'd much rather use that money to fix the leaks."

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