The advert, released earlier this week, showed a local businessman riding to work on a pink bicycle as part of a drive to urge people to take public transport and leave cars at home.

But many traders complained that the advert made a joke of a serious situation.

Some described it as "insulting" and "self-important".

"I don't want anyone to feel that people are having a laugh at them so if people are feeling that way I apologise, and I think the Commonwealth Games people should apologise as well," Palaszczuk said, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"Advertising is used to get people's attention, but where people feel offence, that is not correct."

Transport has been considered one of the key challenges for organisers and a campaign has been launched in a bid to keep the city moving.

The "Get Set for the Games" initiative, launched by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in conjunction with Gold Coast 2018 and the City of Gold Coast, calls on residents to consider alternative methods of transport during the Games.

Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters has also claimed that a review of the advert will now be carried out as soon as possible.

"You don't want to insult people, and as the Premier said, if that's happened, certainly across the partnership, that's an apology," he was quoted as saying by Gold Coast Bulletin.

The Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast are scheduled to run from April 4 to 15.