I live in Parkdale/High Park…

I live in Parkdale/High Park area, I have two children under the age of 10, we do not own a car, and I rely on biking to get myself and my children around the city. Bike lanes (for us the Bloor bike lane in particular) is the only thing that makes it safe enough and therefore possible to get my kids around the city. I use the Bloor bike lanes (with my kids) at least 2-3 times per week to get to after school activities, doctors appointments, play dates etc etc etc. There is no other option. There is no other east-west bike network that can get me where I need to go. Because of rail tracks and neighborhood structure there is no network of quieter side streets (trust me I’ve been biking in this city for many years and I will always take side streets if and when I can). And yes, I use these lanes year round.

Removing bike lanes would likely force my family to buy a car or use car shares more often - thus adding yet another car to the city’s traffic (we also don’t have a driveway, so this would be yet another car needlessly taking up limited parking in the city). I know countless other families like ours that live happily car-free and rely on the existence of safe, protected bike lanes to get ourselves and our kids around the city. Please don’t take away our ability to get around this city.