The proposal to remove bike…

The proposal to remove bike lanes in downtown Toronto is short-sighted and goes against evidence-based urban planning principles. Bike lanes are crucial for creating safer, more sustainable, and more efficient urban transportation networks. Here's why we should keep and expand bike lanes:
Safety: Bike lanes significantly reduce cycling injuries and fatalities. A study in Toronto found that streets with bike lanes had 89% fewer crashes per kilometer cycled compared to those without.
Increased ridership: The installation of bike lanes leads to increased cycling. For example, after the Bloor Street bike lanes were installed, cycling volumes increased by 56% during morning peak hours.
Economic benefits: Contrary to claims of harm to businesses, studies show that cyclists spend more money in local shops over time compared to drivers. A study on Bloor Street found that customers arriving by foot and bicycle visited more often and spent more money per month than those who drove.
Reduced congestion: Bike lanes can actually improve traffic flow by encouraging mode shift. In New York City, the addition of protected bike lanes on 9th Avenue led to a 49% decrease in commercial traffic travel times.
Environmental impact: Promoting cycling through infrastructure helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Toronto's TransformTO climate action strategy relies on increasing cycling mode share to meet its emissions reduction targets.
Public health: Increased cycling leads to improved public health outcomes. The health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by a factor of 20 to 1, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
Equity: Bike lanes provide an affordable transportation option for low-income residents who may not have access to a car or public transit.
The right to safe cycling infrastructure is fundamental to creating a livable, equitable city. Instead of removing bike lanes, we should be expanding and improving our cycling network to create a more connected, safe, and accessible system for all road users. Let's make evidence-based decisions that benefit the entire community, not just those in cars.