It appears this legislation…

It appears this legislation is pushing us in the wrong direction. Instead of providing infrastructure that encourages people to consider biking or improving public transit investments it will punish people ACTUALLY engaged in the solution (MORE BIKES=LESS CARS). Bikes are NOT the problem, and dedicating safe lanes for cyclists to travel along major routes does little to no harm to drivers. The worst gridlock is on highways where bikes are NOT ALLOWED. Solve that problem BEFORE scapegoating cyclists.

Many people who cycle give it up as they age but affordable electric assist bikes are extending the cycling life for many enthusiasts. They also make cycling more attractive to people who just need an extra bit of motivation to take the plunge. 'Thanks' to global warming the biking season is getting longer every year. With the costs of owning a vehicle going up every year cycling increasingly looks like one of the best transportation options for a new generation.

Fear for one's safety is the main barrier to many people making the transition to a biking-commute lifestyle. I pass 2 ghost bike memorials on my 17 minute bike to work. If we provide well-planned inner city commute bike routes there is no reason for cyclists and drivers to be in conflict with each other. Biking pays dividends that cars never will in terms of carbon footprint and health benefits. Supporting biking options in every community is the best way forward to promoting a sustainable/livable future.

Provincial measures and guidelines will never be better at solving gridlock than local municipalities and communities. Give local governments the power to protect all its citizens, those who bike AND those who drive. I do both, and I know wherever I live or choose to move, cycling infrastructure is an important consideration. It is no coincidence that communities that provide these options are well regarded for their liveability.

Seeing bikes as the problem is short sighted. It's a punchline to a dumb shock-jock joke. It's not funny. It's gaslighting AND it won't fix the problem. Gridlock will still exist, cyclists will still get blamed for it. We just won't have a safe way to get where we need to go anymore. Be prepared for more ghost bike memorials in neighbourhoods near you if this legislation passes.