Comments on Bill 212 It's a…

Comments on Bill 212
It is a well-documented phenomenon that adding lanes to roadways often leads to increased traffic congestion rather than alleviating it. Effective measures to reduce gridlock typically involve strategies that encourage alternatives to car usage. Has the Province conducted comprehensive research on this matter? The absence of such research raises significant concerns.

The implementation of bike lanes serves as a catalyst for reducing reliance on automobiles, simultaneously slowing traffic to enhance pedestrian safety. Data from Toronto EMS demonstrates that response times on Yonge, Bloor, and University streets have remained consistent following the installation of bike lanes.

Research indicates that bike lanes can decrease accident rates, stimulate economic activity for adjacent businesses, mitigate congestion, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of residents.

The notion that the primary objective should be to facilitate faster travel for drivers is a relic of mid-20th century thinking, a perspective that many progressive jurisdictions worldwide have moved beyond. Notably, leading global cities do not prioritize the concept of enabling cars to travel faster in urban settings. It is imperative for Ontario to recognize that the future of transportation does not revolve around an increasing number of vehicles traversing urban areas at higher speeds across more lanes. Rather, the focus should be on integrating diverse modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, and public transit, as demonstrated by cities such as London, Paris, and Copenhagen.

The removal of bike lanes on University, Bloor, and Yonge streets is likely to exacerbate risks for pedestrians and cyclists, as it would encourage faster vehicular traffic on these urban thoroughfares, effectively transforming them into multi-lane highways. This shift would create an environment where pedestrians feel increasingly unsafe.

I urge decision-makers to thoroughly investigate the potential implications of the proposed legislation by reviewing existing literature and engaging with elected officials from other jurisdictions. It is crucial to envision an Ontario that prioritizes the well-being of its residents, rather than adhering to outdated ideologies that have been widely discredited. The focus should be on fostering a transportation framework that accommodates all Ontarians, rather than catering to a narrow viewpoint rooted in a bygone era.