Regarding the proposal to…

Regarding the proposal to reassess bicycle lanes. I live and work in downtown Toronto. I am a
physician. I ride a bicycle and drive a car in Toronto. The separated bike lanes added in Toronto
in recent years (including Bloor Street and University Avenue) have made my commute much
safer, with fewer close calls. I am more inclined to bicycle to work, particularly in inclement
weather, now that I can use separated bicycle lanes. When I drive (including on Bloor Street and
University Avenue), I have not found that the bicycle lanes have affected the driving time. In
fact, I find it is new building construction that most often results in lane closures that negatively
impacts driving times. Municipalities, not the Province, are in the best position to determine the
need for and utility of bicycle lanes.

Regarding the proposal to exempt proposed highway 413 from Environmental Assessment: it is
inappropriate to bypass the act for particular projects. The intention and spirit of this act is
specifically to include projects such as highway 413, and to protect people and the environment
from potential negative impacts of the project. Speeding up the project is not an appropriate
reason bypass the act. I do not believe that we should be building a highway through some of
Ontario's best remaining farmland. I regularly drive on highways 400, 401, 404 and 407 and
while I could potential benefit from using the proposed highway 413 for some trips, on
balance do not think it's worth it given the high cost and negative environmental and social
consequences. Furthermore, there is evidence that the extra capacity from building new
highways only temporarily improves travel times until the new highways reach capacity.