Bike lanes offer a range of…

Bike lanes offer a range of positive externalities that enhance urban life, making cities safer, more accessible, and economically sustainable. Contrary to popular belief, bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion, car usage and construction to keep car usage alive does. (just look at the data, no, before you say anything, just look, please look, I am begging you.). By encouraging cycling as a mode of transport, bike lanes help reduce car dependency and alleviate traffic congestion, freeing up road space for those who actually need to drive, such as people with disabilities, those transporting goods, and emergency services.
The economic benefits of bike lanes are substantial. Cycling infrastructure is relatively inexpensive to build and maintain compared to the high costs associated with road expansion and car-related infrastructure, saving municipalities significant amounts in construction and upkeep. Additionally, a healthier population results from more active commuting, reducing long-term healthcare costs. Unlike cars, which often require imported parts, a larger proportion of bike parts are domestically produced, supporting Canadian businesses and reducing Canada’s reliance on imports, thereby strengthening our economy.
Furthermore, bike lanes increase urban density efficiency. Since bikes require less space, bike parking can be easily integrated into busy downtown areas, freeing up valuable land for new developments like housing or business spaces.
From a safety perspective, bike lanes protect cyclists, including children, from the dangers posed by sharing roads with cars, making cycling a safer, more viable commuting option.
Bike lanes are designed to incentivize cycling over driving, as the former contributes to positive externalities, reduced pollution, lower congestion, and better public health, while the latter poses costs to society in the form of accidents, emissions, and heavy infrastructure demands. Eliminating this mode of transportation limits the city’s options and intensifies the pressures of a growing population and the demands of urban expansion.