I am writing to oppose the…

I am writing to oppose the removal of bike lanes from major city roads as proposed in Ontario Bill 212. The removal of bike lanes would be a step backward in creating safer, greener, and more efficient cities. Bike lanes benefit all road users, contributing to reduced traffic congestion, improved road safety, and a lower environmental footprint.

**1. Traffic Reduction**
Studies show that bike lanes help alleviate traffic congestion by providing a safe and efficient alternative mode of transportation. For example, cities like New York and Portland have observed reductions in car traffic with the introduction of bike lanes. According to a study by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), bike lanes can carry up to five times more people per meter of road width than car lanes during peak hours. Increasing the cycling infrastructure, therefore, reduces vehicle congestion by making it feasible for more people to switch from cars to bikes.

**2. Safety Benefits**
Bike lanes are critical for improving safety on roads, not just for cyclists but also for drivers and pedestrians. A study published by the American Journal of Public Health showed that streets with dedicated bike lanes experience significantly fewer traffic collisions and injuries. Additionally, bike lanes create predictable paths for cyclists, which improves flow and minimizes conflicts with vehicles. And when cyclists feel like they have a safe route to travel on a bike, they are more likely to use a bike vs. drive, thus reducing traffic congestion.

**3. Environmental Impact**
Encouraging cycling through dedicated bike lanes directly benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the European Cyclists' Federation estimates that cycling saves approximately 16 million tons of CO₂ emissions each year in Europe alone. Expanding cycling infrastructure is an important step in Ontario’s goal of reducing urban carbon emissions and improving air quality.

For these reasons, I urge you to reject any measure that would remove bike lanes from our cities or impede the addition of new bike lanes.