Newly released stats by the city of Vancouver reveal cyclists like using the controversial bike lane on the Burrard Street Bridge.

The number of cyclists using the bridge increased from two to three thousand cyclists per day to between three and five thousand since the beginning of the trial - 25 per cent more bikers than before the trial.

"With the increased use of the bridge by cyclists, we clearly have a transportation option that's cost effective and safer for commuting," Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a release on Wednesday.

But the mayor also warned that motorists may want to find transportation alternatives heading into the fall season, with many people returning to work and school.

"Motorists who typically use the Burrard Bridge are strongly encouraged to consider the Granville or Cambie bridges or other transit options," the mayor said.

The bike lane trial began on July 13th and has no set end date.

Bike lane trial was controversial from the get-go

The idea of substituting a traffic lane for a bike lane resurfaced last year when city council found out it would cost a whopping $63 million to build new bike lanes on the bridge.

The former city council was opposed to converting a traffic lane to a bike lane citing concerns over traffic, gas prices and the impact on transit.

"Ultimately every direction points to a thumbs-down," former City Councillor Kim Capri said last year.

The decision to put in the trial bike lane is a follow-through on a campaign promise made by Mayor Gregor Robertson and his party, Vision Vancouver, to provide separated bike lanes on several major bike routes.

"I have to say, I've been riding this bridge all my life and that's the first time I really felt safe crossing on my bike," Robertson said on the opening day of the trial lane.

Tensions rise

Tensions between cyclists and motorists reached a fever pitch this summer during the 'Critical Mass' protest - a monthly protest which aims to bring further biking infrastructure to the city.

During the July protest, cyclists angered many by refusing to tell the Vancouver police their planned route. Thousands of bikers crossed the Burrard Street Bridge twice and stopped traffic on the Lion's Gate Bridge on one of the busiest weekends of the summer.