I'd like to add my voice to…

I'd like to add my voice to what is hopefully a widespread call for the Government of Ontario to reconsider this ill-conceived plan that is 1) inconsistent with existing research on how best to manage traffic flow and ease congestion, 2) a needless, wasteful, and meddlesome use of public funds, and 3) a misguided attack on vulnerable road users that need more safe infrastructure, not less.

1) Extant research on how best to ease traffic congestion does not, in any way, support the idea that bike lanes are the cause of congestion, nor that their elimination would ease congestion. Indeed, the only effect on traffic that bike lanes have been found to have is to moderately slow existing traffic (which increases public safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike). Congestion is caused by more cars on the road, which is in turn caused by the existence of car infrastructure to the detriment of alternatives. Investing in public transit and active transportation would do more to ease congestion than any road widening or new road projects.

2) The Government of Ontario's pledge to limit further bike infrastructure construction and to pay for the elimination of current infrastructure is misguided and wasteful. It also introduces uncertainty into existing municipal planning and development, intruding on projects that cities in our province have planned for years. Considering that car infrastructure is more costly to install and maintain than cycling infrastructure and produces costly and dangerous environmental externalities, failing to invest in alternative and active transportation is wasteful, unnecessary, and very poor environmental stewardship.

3) Cyclists and other vulnerable road users rely on separated, safe infrastructure to keep them moving and out of harms way. The rise of distracted and dangerous driving, coupled with increases across the board to the size and weight of private passenger vehicles has made high-quality bike lanes a public safety necessity, over and above their environmental and economic benefit. Eliminating these lanes, let alone failing to invest in further expansion, puts vulnerable road users at serious risk of harm.

I hope that, with time and serious thought, this government will recognize that this legislation is not only unwanted and unnecessary, but misguided - and that investments will instead be made where they can effect positive outcomes for congestion, the environment, and for public safety.