I am a driver, cyclist, and…

I am a driver, cyclist, and urban/transportation planner and I strongly oppose this proposal.

What is clear is that the Ontario government has not looked at any of the evidence on transportation demand management, or any understanding of the concept of induced demand. Adding additional travel lanes (or retaining existing ones) will not improve congestion.

There is overwhelming evidence from cities the world over that demonstrate that cycling lanes reduce traffic, support local businesses, and improve safety outcomes.

It’s challenging to comprehend the rationale for the proposed legislation to create a new provincial approval process for bike lanes in municipalities, among other policy directions in the transport, land use planning, and environmental space.

This legislation runs counter to evidence from cities the world over that are providing safe travel options and streets for everyone. This is a step backward and must be reconsidered. Ontario can and must do better.

Furthermore, the removal of existing bike lanes, on Toronto or elsewhere, is completely ridiculous. This is not a decision that the province should be making on behalf of cities, which have a better understanding of the interests of local communities and road users. This includes businesses within Toronto, which overwhelmingly have benefited from the bike lanes.