The continued war against…

The continued war against bike lanes is very confusing to me. There is ample evidence that they improve traffic by getting people out of cars. There is ample evidence that they improve safety for all road users (not only cyclists). There is ample evidence that cycling improves the general health of a person (as opposed to driving which promotes sedentary lifestyles), which eases pressure on the health care system. There is ample evidence that cars contribute to the climate crisis via air pollution from exhaust, water pollution via microplastics from the brakes and tires, and noise pollution, none of which are caused by bikes. Bicycles cause negligible damage to the surface they are riding on compared to cars, reducing tax dollars spent on the road systems. Cycling is fun. Cycling has no age or licensing or insurance restrictions. Most cities in Ontario are pro bicycle lane. Forbidding the construction of new bicycle lanes is governmental overreach, and is a slippery slope to stripping cities of their ability to make decision that are best for their citizens. The judicial system has already ruled that removing bike lanes is arbitrary, i.e., it increases the likelihood of injury and death, and does not accomplish the task it is set out to do, namely improve traffic. It was therefore deemed a violation of the charter of rights and freedoms and overturned. Engineers, doctors, judges, city planners, city governments, and citizens of cities are all opposed to this. I am privileged to have a life that does not need a car, and so I don't have to put up with traffic, gas, insurance, licensing, repairs, upkeep, crashes. I stay healthy by riding my bicycle and walking daily, and don't lose thousands of dollars a year to auto corporations and big oil. Let's keep letting everyone have the option of living a life like that. Build more bike lanes.