Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act under Schedule 5 of Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025).

I am writing to express my concern and opposition to the provisions that would prohibit municipalities from reducing motor vehicle lanes when installing or marking new bicycle lanes, and would grant the Minister broad authority to further restrict local cycling infrastructure decisions.

1. Reduced Municipal Flexibility Will Limit Effective Transportation Planning

Municipalities are best positioned to understand their own traffic patterns, land-use plans, collision data, and community needs. A province-wide prohibition on reallocating lanes removes the ability of local governments to design transportation systems that balance safety, efficiency, and climate goals.
Transportation challenges vary widely across Ontario, and rigid, one-size-fits-all restrictions will likely lead to poorer outcomes.

2. The Proposal May Worsen, Not Reduce, Congestion

Research from many jurisdictions shows that high-quality, protected bike lanes can reduce congestion by shifting short urban trips away from cars, increasing person-throughput even when road space is reallocated.
By preventing municipalities from making thoughtful lane-reallocation decisions, the proposed amendments may unintentionally lock cities into car-dependent road designs that worsen gridlock.

3. Impacts on Safety and Vision Zero Goals

Protected cycling infrastructure is one of the most effective tools for reducing collisions and deaths among vulnerable road users.
Preventing lane conversions could block municipalities from installing the safest possible infrastructure in locations where road width is limited, compromising local road-safety commitments.