As a current resident of…

As a current resident of south Etobicoke and longtime Torontonian I am deeply concerned with the both the proposed bike lane legislation and ongoing rhetoric regarding cyclists and cycling infrastructure. I believe that our elected officials should represent the interests of all their constituents, regardless of their preferred mode of transportation. I sincerely hope the government reconsiders this legislation, this is not an exhaustive list, but here are some reasons:

1. As both, car, pedestrian, cyclist, and transit user, I feel significantly safer on the street, regardless of transportation mode, since the bike lanes were installed. The bike lanes also make the street feel more community-oriented, improving sidewalk feel.

2. I am afraid for the safety of bike-riders. I remember before the bike lanes were installed, there were only a few riders along Bloor, but now the bike lanes are congested every morning, with lineups at signalled intersections as numerous as cars. These people have built their lives around the infrastructure, and will likely continue to bike, but this bill will make it more dangerous for them.

This has been the deadliest year in Toronto for bike-riders, with 6 people killed, and the people who would be most affected are some out of province’s most vulnerable workers: the gig-economy food delivery riders. I would hope the government would encourage further safety measures, rather than remove them.

3. I have had the privilege of living in other cities both within and outside Canada, and can attest to how a mature cycling network works to relieve traffic congestion. There are hundreds of studies to support it, but having lived in it, I can tell you that once the network is vast enough to connect to enough amenities, people begin to use it more often, leaving space in the car lanes for those who have fewer options. It’s a win-win, but it requires patience and investment.

4. It is a waste of my, a humble tax-payer this government claims to care about, taxes. I am confident that when there is a change in government, whether that’s in 1, 5, or 10 years, that the routes removed will be reinstalled, and we will have paid for their installation twice (and their removal). The whole world is moving towards encouraging active transportation to mitigate climate change, congestion, and obesity, and bike lanes make it safer and more convenient for cyclists and—crucially—to get around their communities. Ontario and Toronto are not unique; this infrastructure is popular worldwide, and road users will and already demand them. I do not understand why this government would waste my taxes on demolishing this crucial infrastructure.

5. I believe municipal governments should be trusted to make decisions about their road infrastructure without interference from the province. I believe firmly in the intimate democratic process at city halls, and feel that these matters are local ones. The legislation promises to make these decisions more expensive, more prone to unnecessary delays, and I fear, much less likely to be green-lit.

6. If this government is committed to relieving congestion they should focus their efforts on provincial matters that would have a much more significant impacts, such as getting the long delayed transit projects completed or investing in and funding public transportation across the province.

7. Bike lanes are not the cause of congestion, and removing or limiting serves no benefit! This legislation will invite only more cars to the road, further clogging up the roads which already have capacity issues, and have no room to grow without demolishing the liveability of our neighbourhoods. You cannot solve cars with cars—this province needs to embrace and invest in other transportation modes to reduce congestion, and a mature network of bike lanes are an important piece, alongside well-funded public transit.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response to this legislation. I am deeply disappointed in the government’s logic in introducing this bill, and hope it will reconsider it before bringing it to a vote.