I strongly urge the…

I strongly urge the Government of Ontario to reconsider Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane. This is a prime example of government overreach and irresponsible spending. However, instead of giving a Grade 5 Social Studies lesson on the responsibilities of each level of government, I would like to instead highlight a few reasons–both general and Toronto specific–why existing bike lanes should be protected and new bike lanes encouraged.

Firstly, bike lanes contribute to the safety of cyclists. To help make this point, I am going to reference a 2017 video from TVO's Political Blind Date of Doug Ford going for a bike ride with Jagmeet Singh. In the video, Ford can be quoted as saying, “You’re nervous when there’s not bike lanes, at least I was. Someone dings you from behind, and we have to do everything we can to make there’s never a death in the city. One death is way too many. When it comes to bicycle riders, we have to make sure that they’re safe. I felt so much safer when it was separated.” There have been 6 cyclist deaths in Toronto so far in 2024. If the Government of Ontario wants a say in the bike lanes on municipal roads, and bike lanes are removed from Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, or anywhere else in the City of Toronto, I think it is only fair that the premier of Ontario is present whenever a Ghost Bike memorial is placed to memorialize the preventable death of a cyclist.

Secondly, many Torontonians are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis, and cycling provides an economical way to travel. For example, the annual membership for Bike Share Toronto starts at only $105, which is less expensive than a monthly TTC pass with the Fair Pass Transit Discount Program starting at $123.25. By comparison, the cost of owning a car in Toronto can be at least 10 times the cost of taking the TTC or 100 times the cost of using Bike Share.

Thirdly, are we not in the middle of an environmental crisis? Reducing motorized transportation and increasing active transportation, such as cycling, reduces the air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. Therefore, let’s stop catering to cars–a majority of which are only occupied by one person–and encourage active modes of transportation. It is worth noting that individual actions may have a small impact when considering that a significant amount of global anthropogenic carbon emissions are produced by large corporations. However, while these individual actions–choosing to bike instead of driving–make a difference in an individual’s impact on the environment, individual actions are also key to creating systematic change.

Lastly, active modes of transportation, such as cycling, contribute to increased cardiovascular fitness, improved muscle strength, stronger bones, decreased body fat, lower stress levels, and reduced anxiety and depression. If anything, bike lanes and, by extension, encouraging cycling, can be viewed as an investment in the health of Ontarians. Reduced air pollution, one of the environmental benefits of cycling, can also be considered a health benefit.

In summary, for the above stated safety, economic, environmental, and health reasons, the Government of Ontario should seriously reconsider Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane. Cars are never stuck in traffic; they are the traffic.