Bill 212 is a terrible idea…

Bill 212 is a terrible idea and a serious infringement on city planning's authority! There is no evidence that bike lanes are causing the traffic issues. Congestion is far more a result of the insane level of development and public works taking up ROW space and the lack of infrastructure coordination, as well as the increased population density and respective increase in cars due to lacking transit infrastructure.

Having wider roads for more cars on the road just makes the problem bigger by inviting more cars. Every bike lane that has been added in recent years has taken cars off the road because those riders feel safe riding, and would otherwise be taking up much more space as drivers in a cars on those same road. Having more cyclists moving safely in a protected bike lane is best for everyone, keeping both drivers and cyclists safe. The cyclists are actually doing the remaining drivers a favor by making space for them, even if it means getting a little sweaty and exposed to the weather. The massive take-up of bike lanes since the pandemic has been one of the City of Toronto's biggest success stories. Our bike lanes are starting to look like Copenhagen or Rotterdam with lots of people relying on them daily to get around. It goes without saying that the shift from cars to bikes also helps mitigate climate change, both the daily extreme heat we have been increasingly feeling and extreme weather events.

Last but not least, access to safe bike lanes is also an essential equity issue, since not everyone can afford a car these days when budgets are tight. If you approve this bill it will be a dark age in the City's history blamed on your government. You will have shown no regard for the families and individuals who can't afford a car, simply to enhance your convenience as drivers.

Do the right thing and leave our bike lanes alone, and get those transit lines done ASAP!