Unfortunately, Mr. Ford's…

Unfortunately, Mr. Ford's pledge to remove bike lanes in Toronto is a cynical, populist ploy to his motorist suburban base. None of this pledge is grounded in actual evidence based study. Numerous articles and studies, for example this CBC article and another show that bike lanes are not the cause of congestion and in fact contribute to a city's ability to foster diverse modes of transportation in an urban setting that is cheap, healthy and green. As a Toronto resident who cycles to and from the office and uses cycling as their primary mode of transport, this bill puts my safety and my ability to transit the city effectively at risk. Mr. Ford is circumventing my (and many other Toronto residents') municipal democratic rights by overriding what was overwhelming Toronto City Council's (21-1) choice to implement more bike lanes in the city. He has previously disregarded Torontonian's democratic rights by cutting our city council in half using the notwithstanding clause, a tool which should only, if ever, be used in extreme emergency situations, not as a petty vendetta to punish those who didn't vote for him. Mr. Ford is not the Mayor of Toronto and should stay in his lane, so to speak. He should worry about the problems that plague this province that actually fall under his purview to govern. We do not need more cars, and more grids to lock in this city. We need to become a modern, global city that fosters walkable, bikeable and transit friendly communities and that isn't obsessed with urban sprawl and suburbia. 

In order for Toronto to effectively deal with its congestion problem, we need to use real, innovative methods that are grounded in evidence. My observations and suggestions as a long time Toronto resident:

1. Like many other global cities with this issue, Toronto needs to implement a congestion tax / toll to drive in the city. I know Mr. Ford is allergic to the "T" word, but the only way to address this problem is to have LESS cars in the city, not create grounds for MORE. Driving should not be the primary mode of transport for people to commute or get around the city, it should be leveraged as one of many options, and those who choose to drive in the city who don't live here and pay city taxes should have to pay to drive in the city.

2. As I am sure you are well aware, Toronto's public transit needs to be more effective. As it stands right now, our streetcars are too slow and obstruct driving. On the other hand, too many cars in the city obstruct effective movement of streetcars. I can't think of any other city where trams make traffic stop and let people directly onto the road, not only is it dangerous, it causes massive delays in the flow of traffic. Streetcars need their own dedicated lanes with the platforms included therein (for example, the Spadina and St. Clair routes, when in operation). I know this is an ideal state and may be difficult to fully implement, but it should inspire new solutioning.

3. To assist the above, we then need to remove street parking on major streets. Why do we give up a whole lane on busy streets for parked cars? I don't see Mr. Ford scapegoating pointless and excessive street parking. A regular feature of driving in Toronto is two lanes being squished into one with no warning because street parking begins on a major street. If we limit the amount of cars in the city, we wouldn't need this much parking. It defies logic to allow parked cars to limit flow on major arteries - it certainly isn't the fault of bike lanes. People can park their cars on side streets, and we can make carve outs for those whose actual residence is on a major street.

4. Allowing yielding left turns at major Toronto intersections is a constant cause of congestion and dangerous driving. Because we have so much traffic and so many pedestrians, it is often the case that one or two cars get through on a yellow, while everyone behind is trying to swerve around these cars into the right lane, only to have to swerve back left because of street parking begins with no signs or warning (see point above). This hardly makes any sense. Eliminates left turns entirely at intersections that are busy and don't have dedicated turning lights and lanes. Furthermore, we should be striving toward models in other cities (for example Montreal) that only allow right turns on green lights. Right turn behaviour on reds causes dangerous driving and threatens both pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers.

The model in Toronto for major streets, or some version of it, should strive toward effective transit with its own dedicated lane and platforms, car lanes unobstructed by street parking, and protected bike lanes alongside. This would allow for a diversity of transportation methods in the city without having to villainize or scapegoat one particular stakeholder. This, along with a congestion tax for those who CHOOSE to drive into the city, would go a long way. Right now, Mr. Ford is cynically and unfairly blaming inner city folk for Toronto's problems, just because we are not part of his base. I am sure there are many who are part of his base as well, who use bikes to get around our city.

Thank you for your consideration.