I'm a daily driver and…

I'm a daily driver and occasional cyclist. I am deeply concerned about the plan to rip up bike lanes, seemingly based on easily debunked opinions that pander to a specific voting base. Aside from the obvious concerns around safety (which will be severely compromised if bike lanes are removed) I am infuriated at the idea of adding more construction to Bloor to remove critical infrastructure for a culture war flashpoint. Nothing about that will help anyone's commute.

Data does not support bike lane removal as a way to alleviate traffic. If the lanes are expanded, they will quickly be filled and traffic will look much the same, except we'll all have to work harder to stay safe. Anecdotally, I've actually found traffic to be more manageable on Bloor since the bike lanes, as fewer cars are merging and passing. My family members feel similarly, to the point we were all quite shocked and confused at justifications for ripping up the lanes.

It is confounding that drivers are being falsely pandered to at the same time that there are so many outstanding and mismanaged transit projects. Good public transit will reduce traffic more effectively than adding lanes ever could. Why aren't we more focused on finishing the LRT or other projects as a means of traffic reduction?

It must be said that many drivers simply don't like cyclists and are happy to back this proposal out of spite. This decision uncomfortably reflects the disdain so many have for non-cars on city streets. We ought to be doing all we can to promote cycling, which is a solution that will take cars off the road! Every cyclist is one car off the road. Not to forget the ample environmental and physical health benefits that come with cycling. As a mental health professional, I deeply appreciate the ways cycling supports accessibility and general wellness for marginalized groups. There are so many benefits to preserving space to cycle safely.

I strongly feel we must prioritize alternatives to driving for the collective wellbeing of this city. I urge you to focus on data driven solutions to managing traffic and density, and to think about the real people who will be endangered by bike lane removal. They matter and their lives are worth protecting.