In my experience as a…

In my experience as a cyclist in Ottawa, being in a traffic lane WITH cars causes gridlock and slows vehicles down. While there are streets in Ottawa where bike lanes are not possible (Wellington St W, for example) there are many areas where a bike lane would REDUCE traffic congestion as well as create a safer environment for cyclists. On Merivale Road, for example, I wind up riding on the sidewalk in places because it's NOT safe to be on the actual road if you are on a bike. But, in that case, I am putting pedestrians at risk as well as riding illegally. How is this bill addressing those issues? Yes, we can take side streets where the traffic is lighter and I do so whenever possible. But sometimes I need to go on a busier street to get home.

As well, bike lanes end abruptly at times when crossing from one side of a street to the other side. There is literally nowhere for you to go except into traffic. When vehicles are not paying attention, you are putting yourself at risk as well as the driver of the vehicle, if you pull into the traffic lane.

I commute by ebike regularly to work during the warmer weather. Every day when I get on my bike, as much as I am conscientious about sharing the road and as much as I enjoy riding, I have anxiety about my ride and whether or not I will arrive safely. THIS is unfair.

I am reducing congestion by riding and not using my car and adding to traffic woes. When I am not riding, I use OC Transpo to get to work which also reduces congestion on the roads.

Reducing bike lanes is NOT decreasing congestion. Adding bike trails completely separated from vehicle traffic would be a great alternative. In lieu of bike lanes, is there a plan to increase bike trails?