A council officer said she wanted to burn Deliveroo riders in hell – prompting her bosses to issue an apology.
The officer made the comment at a public meeting looking at the future of a Victorian boulevard in Leicester.
When the topic of cyclists using the pedestrian only New Walk walkway came up, she said: “Personally I would like to burn all Deliveroo riders in hell.”
Around 20 members of the public, including a LeicestershireLive reporter, were present at the meeting.
Some laughed but others said they felt uncomfortable with what she said.
Council bosses have since apologised for the comment, saying: ““This was an off-the-cuff and entirely inappropriate comment which the officer regrets making.
“We apologise for any offence caused and hope that this does not detract from the positive work being carried out as part of the ongoing public consultation about the future of the New Walk conservation area.”
One resident said: “It was obviously a joke and playing to the audience but it was awkward. A lot of people were surprised a council officer would use that tone of language in a public meeting even if they agree with the broad point.”
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Officials are drawing up a management plan for the historic boulevard and surrounding streets and are asking residents and businesses for views on a number of proposals.
A meeting was held at Holy Trinity Church in nearby Upper King Street on Wednesday, with Ms Tinsley representing the council.
The council has taken several steps to try to keep cyclists off the route and there have been numerous complaints about food couriers riding along it at speed.
Earlier in the year concrete blocks were installed on the historic route in a bid to deter illegal cycling.
New Walk is a busy office area in the city, with various law firms, accountants, software companies and other businesses based there.
It is also a main walking route between the city centre and railway station.
Cycling on the route is banned but there have been persistent issues with riders travelling at speed particularly downhill towards the city centre alarming pedestrians.
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Food couriers have been singled out as a particular problem.
Deliveroo has previously said it had e-mailed all its riders in the city reminding them that New Walk was pedestrian-only and that they should dismount when taking meals to properties in the area.