I am a Torontonian. I live…

I am a Torontonian. I live in the city and will hopefully live here for the rest of my life. I own a car, a bicycle and a Presto pass. I also do not like waiting any longer than I need to for any journey so I think it is imperative that the province understand how road and traffic management works by consulting professional traffic engineers and studying real world examples of how traffic decongestion was achieved. The spoiler here is: it was never achieved by adding more car lanes. Please read and consider the below, information like this is abundantly available everywhere:

Traffic congestion is a complex issue that cannot be solved merely by adding more car lanes. In fact, this approach often leads to what is known as **induced demand**, where increasing road capacity encourages more people to drive, ultimately resulting in the same or worse congestion levels. This phenomenon occurs because more lanes can lead to increased vehicle speeds, which in turn attracts additional drivers who might have previously opted for alternative modes of transport or avoided traveling during peak hours[1][4].

## Limitations of Expanding Car Lanes

1. **Frequent Intersections**: Roads are typically unable to reach their full capacity due to frequent intersections, traffic signals, and merging lanes. These factors create bottlenecks that negate the benefits of additional lanes[2][4].

2. **Environmental Impact**: Expanding roadways contributes to urban sprawl and increases pollution levels, which are significant concerns in urban planning[1].

3. **Cost Ineffectiveness**: Building new lanes or expanding existing ones is often more expensive than investing in alternative transportation infrastructure like cycling lanes or public transit systems[1][4].

## Importance of Cycling Lanes

To alleviate congestion effectively, cities must prioritize the development of cycling infrastructure. This approach not only promotes safer passage for cyclists but also encourages a shift away from car dependency. Here are some reasons why cycling lanes are imperative:

1. **Encouraging Alternative Transportation**: More cycling lanes can lead to increased bike usage, reducing the number of cars on the road. Cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have successfully integrated extensive cycling networks, resulting in lower traffic congestion and improved air quality[1][2].

2. **Safety Improvements**: Dedicated bike lanes enhance safety for cyclists by providing them with a separate space from motor vehicles, reducing accidents and encouraging more people to cycle[4][5].

3. **Cost-Effectiveness**: Investing in cycling infrastructure is generally cheaper than expanding roadways. For example, a study found that building bike lanes costs significantly less per mile than constructing new roads[1][3].

## Real-World Examples

Cities that have successfully reduced traffic congestion through increased cycling infrastructure include:

- **Copenhagen, Denmark**: The city has invested heavily in biking infrastructure, resulting in over 60% of residents commuting by bike daily. This has led to a noticeable decrease in car traffic and congestion[2][4].

- **Portland, Oregon**: By implementing a network of bike lanes and promoting cycling as a viable mode of transport, Portland has seen a significant increase in bike ridership while simultaneously reducing vehicle traffic during peak hours[3][4].

## Cost-Effective Strategies for Reducing Congestion

To move people rather than cars, cities can adopt several cost-effective strategies:

1. **Implementing Road Diets**: This involves reducing the number of lanes for cars while reallocating space for cyclists and pedestrians. This strategy has been shown to improve safety and reduce speeds without significantly impacting vehicle flow[2][3].

2. **Enhancing Public Transit Options**: Improving public transportation can encourage people to leave their cars at home, thus reducing congestion on roads.

3. **Smart Traffic Management Systems**: Utilizing technology to optimize traffic signals and manage traffic flow can help reduce bottlenecks without the need for physical road expansion[4][5].

In conclusion, while adding more car lanes may seem like an immediate solution to traffic congestion, it often exacerbates the problem. Prioritizing cycling infrastructure not only enhances safety but also promotes sustainable urban mobility, ultimately leading to reduced congestion and improved quality of life in urban areas.

Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_transportation_planning_and_engin…
[2] https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/bike-lanes/
[3] https://bicycleinfrastructuremanuals.com/manuals2/Bikeways%20Design%20M…
[4] https://www.tomesoftware.com/the-bike-lane-newsletter/a-traffic-enginee…
[5] https://bicycleinfrastructuremanuals.com/manuals5/Ministry-of-Transport…
[6] https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/topics/complete-streets/bicycle…
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/civilengineering/comments/1cqsa9s/can_traffic_…
[8] https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/features/space-for-bikeways/