I oppose Bill 212,…

I oppose Bill 212, particularly its requirement to remove dedicated bike lanes as a solution to reduce traffic gridlock. The Toronto Complete Streets Program provides a forward-thinking approach that demonstrates the importance of designing streets for everyone—not just for people in cars. The Complete Streets initiative emphasizes that our streets are shared public spaces for all users, including cyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and drivers. The removal of bike lanes, a key component of this vision, would not only make Toronto’s streets less accessible, less safe, and less inclusive but also lead to a significant increase in traffic congestion and potential accidents.

1. Bike Lanes Reduce Car Dependency and Alleviate Traffic: When bike lanes are available, people are more inclined to choose cycling over driving, especially for short trips. This shift reduces the number of cars on the road, which is one of the most effective ways to decrease congestion. Removing bike lanes would take away this option, forcing more people to use cars, which only adds to traffic volume and gridlock.

2. Safety and Accessibility for All Road Users: Toronto’s Complete Streets Program promotes a safer, more accommodating environment for all types of road users by dedicating space to each form of travel. Bike lanes provide cyclists a safe space, reducing accidents and improving traffic flow. When cyclists are forced to share lanes with cars, drivers often have to slow down and carefully navigate around them, creating more delays and making streets less safe for everyone.

3. Sustainability and Environmental Impact: The Complete Streets approach aligns with Toronto’s environmental goals by encouraging active transportation, which helps lower emissions. Cycling is a clean, zero-emission mode of transportation, and removing bike lanes discourages people from choosing this sustainable option. Increasing car dependency by limiting active transportation options will likely lead to higher pollution levels, which affects everyone in the community.

4. Investing in Multi-Modal Transportation: Cities worldwide recognize the value of diverse, multi-modal transportation systems that support more than just car travel. Reducing bike lanes goes against this shift and locks us into an unsustainable, car-centric future. Instead, we need to expand infrastructure that supports people moving in all forms, reinforcing that streets are for everyone.

City streets are not just for cars; they are public spaces that serve everyone. Removing bike lanes will not reduce gridlock; it will worsen it by encouraging more cars on the road and limiting access for those who choose active transportation. To achieve a livable, sustainable, and safe city, we need policies that support diverse, accessible transportation options for all residents.

From a downtown living, bike riding, Commie Pinko.