Good morning, I am a…

Good morning,

I am a Toronto resident (M6J) who bikes to work most days of the week. I do not have a car, and will occasionally use a car-share for groceries, commutes, or other needs. I do not support Bill 212.

This proposed legislation directly affects me as a resident, as a cyclist and as a driver. It concerns me that my government, instead of making evidence-based, data-driven decisions about urban design and the environment is instead taking regressive action and wasting taxpayer dollars on removing NEW bike lane infrastructure in downtown Toronto.

The Bill does not provide any evidence that bike lanes increase congestion. I understand it's a catchy idea that no doubt plays well with car commuters, but where is the study/research/numbers to back up this assertion? The government has failed to provide any or point to any actual evidence that congestion in Toronto is made worse by bike lane infrastructure.

There is however, ample evidence on the positive impact of bike lanes for Cyclist, Driver and Pedestrian safety (SOURCE 1), environmental benefit (SOURCE 2), physical and mental health benefits (SOURCE 3), economic benefit (SOURCE 4) and in fact for reducing congestion (SOURCE 5). There is also plenty of evidence showing that creating cycling infrastructure will will promote more cycling and therefore reduce the number of cars on the road (induced demand, SOURCE 5). Given this abundance of evidence, it is shocking to me that my provincial government isn't doing more to promote cycling in urban environments but is actually impeding public works that would encourage this healthy behaviour.

Is congestion as in issue? Of course. It creates pollution and stalls movement in the city. However, there are many factors contributing to congestion, including increase in population, and shortfalls in our public transit systems. It seems this bill is designed to make people think the government is taking action on a issue in a visible way (wasting taxpayer dollars on destroying current infrastructure), while avoiding actually working on sustainable solutions to congestion (removing on-street parking in high traffic areas, congestion charges in the downtown core, improving public transit, addressing the housing crisis that is driving people out of the downtown Toronto and creating more commuters in the first place).

Also, people WANT to bike!! Use of BikeShare TO has literally skyrocketed and will continue to. Why not invest in a mode of transport that is good for the environment and for our health?

I think the premier needs to stop trying to by Mayor of Toronto and starting being a leader for the whole province. Where is evidence informed, progressive leadership? It is certainly not reflected in Bill 212, and that is why I am firmly opposed to it passing into law.