I am writing to oppose the…

I am writing to oppose the proposed bill that seeks to remove bike lanes in an effort to improve commuting speeds for vehicles. This measure, while well-intentioned, is counterproductive. Evidence from urban studies consistently shows that bike lanes, rather than increasing congestion, actually reduce it, alongside delivering significant health and safety benefits to communities.

Research reveals that bike lanes help reduce vehicle congestion by encouraging more people to use bicycles instead of cars for short commutes. A study from the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) found that cities with dedicated bike lanes experienced a decrease in car traffic as a greater number of people opted for cycling when provided with safe infrastructure. In New York City, for example, the implementation of protected bike lanes led to a 49% increase in cycling while concurrently decreasing congestion on adjacent streets, it not only opens up space on the roads but reduces parking demand, both of which are critical in high-density areas.

Furthermore, segregated bike lanes make streets safer for everyone. The Federal Highway Administration reports that streets with protected bike lanes see 90% fewer collisions involving cyclists, and the presence of these lanes helps calm traffic overall, reducing accidents involving pedestrians and drivers as well . Citiesland and Seattle have demonstrated that streets with bike lanes experience fewer crashes and smoother traffic flow compared to streets without them.

The health benefits of bike lanes also merit attention. By encouraging active transportation, bike lanes promote physical activity and reduce the incidence of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions. According to a 2019 report by Public Health England, regular cycling can reduce the risk of these diseases by up to 50%. Moreover, when fewer cars are on the road, air quality improves, benefiting everyone but especially those with respiratory conditions.

In sum, removing bike lanes is likely to have the opposite effect of its intention: it will decrease road safety, increase congestion, and erode the progress made toward healthier and more environmentally friendly cities. Investing in and expanding bike infrastructure is a proven way to reduce congestion, improve public safety, and promote public health.

For these reasons, I urge you to reconsider this bill and instead focus on expanding and enhancing our bike lane infrastructure.

Thank you for your time and attention.