I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed legislation to remove bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue in Toronto, and the broader framework for provincial oversight of municipal bike lanes.

Local transportation infrastructure decisions, including the placement and management of bike lanes, have traditionally fallen under municipal jurisdiction for good reason. Municipal governments and their planning departments have the detailed understanding of local traffic patterns, community needs, and neighborhood characteristics necessary to make informed decisions about street-level infrastructure.

The proposed framework would override Toronto's carefully developed cycling network plan, which was created through extensive community consultation and expert analysis. This represents an unprecedented intrusion into municipal affairs that could undermine the city's ability to implement its council-approved transportation and climate action strategies.

While provincial involvement in major highways and regional transportation corridors is appropriate, micromanaging street-level infrastructure in Toronto sets a concerning precedent for provincial overreach into municipal decision-making. I urge the province to reconsider this proposal and respect the City of Toronto's authority to manage its own street infrastructure.