I wholeheartedly oppose Bill…

I wholeheartedly oppose Bill 212. I bike, drive, and take transit in downtown Toronto, giving me firsthand experience with the city’s transportation challenges from all perspectives. In my experience, bike lanes have never been the cause of our traffic woes, and nothing the Ontario government has proposed has changed that understanding. The recent measures outlined in Bill 212 overlook decades of research, consultations, and real-world data that show bike lanes are essential to the communities they serve. The City of Toronto alone has surely spent thousands or even millions of dollars already validating this. Reversing the course on bike infrastructure now would be a costly decision, particularly when we are already looking for funds to support projects like the proposed multi-billion-dollar 401 tunnel.

Congestion in Toronto has undeniably worsened, but bike lanes are not the root cause by any measure. Ongoing construction projects, such as the Ontario Line, have pushed our streets to their limits, while inexplicable delays in critical transit lines like the Hurontario LRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT, and Finch West LRT continue to leave fewer viable alternatives to driving. This lack of coordination and persistent delays, not bike lanes, are the real issue. The current situation also underscores the chronic underfunding of public transit, which has undermined the delivery of efficient service in Toronto. Our issues hardly require visionary thinking—in fact, they demand basic accountability: completing projects on time and properly funding existing transit services would do far more to ease traffic than what Bill 212 proposes. Taking Bill 212 at face value, the proposed solution would be a net negative in every conceivable way.

Setting aside congestion, I must say that I consider Safety to be the most critical issue to consider here. As the Toronto Star recently noted, between August 2014 and August 2024, there were 1,487 collisions on Parkside Drive alone, five of which led to serious injuries and two resulted in deaths. The city’s own reports highlight that Parkside’s current design is not up to standard for sidewalks, motor vehicle lanes, or cyclist protection. Blocking the installation of bike lanes in areas like Parkside would leave these safety concerns dramatically unaddressed. It’s important to recognize that bike lanes aren’t just a matter of transit convenience—they are a matter of public safety, and the evidence shows they save lives. Moving forward without addressing these risks would have serious consequences for the safety of road users.

Another concern is the bill’s exemption for major highway projects like Highway 413 from environmental assessment requirements. This raises questions about Ontario’s commitment to sustainability. Bike lanes are a proven way to reduce emissions and promote greener modes of transportation. Prioritizing highways over sustainable infrastructure sends the wrong message about the province’s long-term environmental goals.

At a time when cities like Toronto are struggling to fund vital infrastructure projects, it’s critical to avoid creating unnecessary financial and administrative hurdles. By imposing delays and potentially blocking projects like bike lanes that have already been thoroughly researched and approved, we risk putting additional strain on municipalities that are already stretched thin. Instead, we should be focusing on moving forward with cost-effective solutions that benefit all residents, especially those that enhance safety and support sustainable growth.

We need to build a city that works for all its people—not just cars. Safe, accessible routes for everyone—whether they walk, bike, drive, or take transit—must be a priority. A city built for the future—where 15-minute cities are possible, where alternative modes of transit flourish, and where quality of life improves for all—will always include bike lanes. I urge the government to ensure that its decisions are based on evidence, support long-term progress, and serve the needs of all citizens. Toronto’s future depends on it.