I am completely and…

I am completely and vehemently against this proposal. The proposal states that the Province's goal is to "fight gridlock and get drivers where they need to go faster", yet what you are proposing is at the literal cost of human lives. Bike lanes - and protected, separated bike lanes, make cycling safer for the many Ontarians who bike as part of their essential daily commute and recreational habits. 6 cyclists have died on Toronto roads so far in 2024, up from 1 in 2023. And that doesn't include the many people with serious and significant injuries. Bike lanes are essential in ensuring these numbers don't keep growing. We cannot put the needs of drivers above the lives of cyclists.

There is also an issue with the premise of this proposal, which is that drivers are the only ones who need to get where they are going faster. The goal should be that everyone gets where they need to go, and studies prove separated bike lanes help this.

Also, the proposition of "Prescribed municipalities would be required to seek provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes (“bike lanes”) that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic" is completely unacceptable - the Province of Ontario is NOT best placed to make decisions about municipalities. This is why we elect Mayors and City Councillors.

I am also extremely disappointed to not see the environmental costs mentioned here, when they is an obvious positive impact on the climate to have fewer people driving and more people safely biking. Growing highways and adding more car lanes contributes to climate change in an extremely negative way. By doing so the government of Ontario would be letting its citizens down and not doing its job to protect the environment and steward it for current and future generations.