The proposal outlined in the…

The Framework for bike lanes proposes that provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes (“bike lanes”) that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic, with the inference that existing bike lanes can be removed if they are deemed by the Province that they are taking up a lane that might be used for traffic.

Targeting bicycle lanes as proposed in Bill 212 is not going to alleviate road congestion given that the root cause of traffic congestion is the sheer number of automobiles on the roads. Building more accessible, and safe, avenues by which "Active Transport" can be used will result in more use, a process known as "induced demand" and directly alleviate congestion by lowering the number of cars on the road. This has already happened in Montreal following extension of the bike lane network in that city.

Moreover, the use of bike lanes is associated with a traffic calming effect and an increase in traffic safety for all road users and an uptick in economic demand both in Toronto and also in London, UK where the population density and number of cars is far higher than in any city in Ontario. Promotion of Active Transport coupled with an increase in investment in public transport (bus, metro) will potentially allow for the use of alternative traffic methods other than the car year round even in a typical Canadian winter.

The impact of improving access to active transport is also felt on the decreased cost and increased environmental benefits of both walking and cycling with the reduction in motor vehicle use resulting in less wear on the road surfaces and improving the environment. The health benefits of increasing walking and cycling on both obesity and diabetes have been well established and promotion of an active lifestyle is likely to provide substantial economic benefits due to a decrease in obesity and concomitant diseases (e.g. diabetes and heart disease).

Given all these socioeconomic factors that support increasing the amount of Active Transport in a city, the Government's proposal appears shortsighted and contradictory to current knowledge. Adding an additional lane at the expense of a bike lane runs into the the induced demand phenomenon and is only a short-term Band-Aid solution at reducing congestion. Induced demand via lane-building is what makes the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401 highly congested despite the most recent Highway 401 expansion project that added lanes to the highway.

Moreover the provision of bike lanes should fall solely under municipal jurisdiction as they impact the local community and I struggle to understand how the Minister, who lives in Brampton, could possibly be aware of the local needs of a resident in Ottawa. In addition, the nebulous "assessment criteria" laid out in the Bill as it currently stands provides no certainty regarding process by which the Province is going to assess both current and future bike lanes and is likely to result in cyclists fearfully coexisting with motor vehicles on our Province's roads as the Premier is well aware from his TVO ride with Mr Singh in 2017.

Therefore I strongly oppose this Proposed Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane.

While I have tried to remain apolitical and only provide data to support my comment, given the track record of this Government regarding important issues like Healthcare, and the Ontario Science Center or Highway 413 together with the significant majority that this Government enjoys, I feel that Bill-212, with this Framework included, will pass anyway. If so, this Bill is not going to ease traffic congestion and will make Ontario roads much more dangerous for Active Transport users, resulting in detrimental effects for every Ontarian who drives, walks or bikes.