As someone who uses all…

As someone who uses all forms of transit—cycling, driving, and public transport—it's clear to me that bike lanes are essential to modern urban infrastructure. They provide a safe, sustainable transit option that ultimately benefits everyone by reducing road congestion. People who are skeptical about using bicycles as a form of transportation often cite SAFETY (lack of space and safe lanes) as their reason for not cycling. In turn, they drive or take Ubers, further INCREASING congestion.

Rush hour traffic has long been a reality since our city was known as the town of York, and claims that bike lanes have worsened congestion lack solid evidence; they’re rooted in anecdotes, not data. The proposal to rip out bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge is a glaring misuse of taxpayer dollars, disrupting neighborhoods for the sole purpose of undoing recent improvements and pandering to rural voters. Instead of pointlessly reversing these advancements, resources should be directed toward infrastructure that truly serves our communities, as well as finishing late and over-budget provincial projects, like the Eglington LRT.

Please see the attached study from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which states "Most surveys report that traffic safety is the major factor deterring individuals from bicycle commuting". How can we expect to reduce congestion if more and more commuters feel too unsafe to cycle, and therefore are all driving cars? Our streets are only so wide - one more lane is not going to solve this issue. Modern infrastructure, which has already been completed and paid for, is the solution.

I do not support the removal of completed bike lanes on Yonge, University, and Bloor.

The municipal government must have a backbone in this issue. It is critical to the future of Toronto's citizens and the future of Council's position of power. If council members cannot protect Torontonians from provincial overreach, they are not fit to represent our interests.