I am a Toronto, Ontario…

I am a Toronto, Ontario resident. I am a car owner and have first-hand experience of the gridlock and infuriating traffic in the Greater Toronto Area. I have also experienced the increase in motor vehicle travel time with the addition of bike lanes.

I am also a cyclist and frequent user of bike lanes, including bike lanes that have led to the loss of motor vehicle lanes.

I oppose, in the strongest sense possible, Bill 212 and its intent to remove bike lanes and impede the creation of new ones. Yes, the creation of bike lanes has led to some areas of increased motor vehicle congestion; however, the problem isn't the bike lane. Bike lanes are essential for keeping cyclists safe. If bike lanes aren't present, people are not able to safely cycle. The real issue at hand for reducing gridlock is investment in public transit. The Ontario Government (both past and present) has failed Ontarians by not adequately investing in public transit and not holding existing Provincial transit projects accountable. The lack of reliable public transit both within large cities but also connecting communities, has led to the over-reliance on cars. The answer is not to encourage more cars on the road. This is short sighted and skirting the bigger issues and responsibilities of the government.
Issues that impact the entire province are the responsibility of the Provincial government. The proposed framework for bike lanes is unnecessarily meddling in municipal politics and is a gross misuse of time, money and resources.

We know that investing in public transit and bike lanes has enormous economic benefit, improves greenhouse gas emissions and leads to healthier communities. Driving a car is a privilege, not a right; we do not need to make it easier to drive one. Tearing up bike lanes would impede progress towards making vulnerable road users (i.e. cyclists) safer. The problem is not the bike lanes. The problem is the lack of investment in public transit. I implore our government to work towards finding solutions here instead of wasting municipal money and tearing up or restricting bike lanes (bike lanes which encourage active transit and healthier communities!).

Bike Lane impacts:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/bike-lanes-impacts-1.7358319

The Economic Impact of Transit Investment in Canada:
https://cutaactu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/final_issue_paper_50_cut…

Protected Bike Lane Networks Save Money and Protect Planet:
https://www.fiafoundation.org/news/protected-bike-lane-networks-save-mo…

Invest in walking and cycling for sustainable, safe cites:
https://www.wri.org/insights/invest-walking-cycling-sustainable-safe-ci…