I am writing to formally…

I am writing to formally oppose the proposal to remove bike lanes in Toronto, a measure that disregards both traffic data and community safety while undermining municipal governance.

Firstly, the assertion that bike lanes contribute to traffic congestion lacks evidence. Studies consistently demonstrate that bike lanes reduce congestion, especially when they encourage a shift from short car trips to cycling. For instance, Carnegie Mellon research shows that dedicating lanes to micromobility, like bikes, directly alleviates car congestion by reducing vehicle miles traveled and emissions. Similarly, research on bike-sharing programs, such as Washington, D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare, indicates a measurable reduction in traffic where bike infrastructure exists . Local and international data both show that bike lanes effectively manage and decrease traffic volume, challenging the assumption that cycling infrastructure worsens congestion.

Moreover, this year marks the highest rate of cyclist fatalities in Toronto's recent history, underscoring an urgent need for safety. Removing bike lanes will only exacerbate these dangers by pushing cyclists into shared vehicle lanes, a risk compounded by Toronto's dense and high-traffic environment. It’s worth noting that bikes are legally recognized vehicles, meaning that in the absence of designated lanes, cyclists are entitled to use full car lanes, which could further disrupt traffic flow while endangering their safety.

Additionally, this issue oversteps provincial authority. Decisions regarding city infrastructure should rest within the jurisdiction of local government, particularly on roads like Highway 11 and Highway 5, whose maintenance costs were shifted to the municipal level under the Harris government. The Ontario government's involvement in the management of these municipally controlled streets represents a fundamental overreach and disregard for local governance, suggesting a provincial agenda rather than a focus on Toronto’s best interests. Premier Ford’s intention to reimburse the city solely for the removal costs of bike lanes compounds this issue; fair reimbursement should encompass the full costs of planning, development, and construction, not just deconstruction.

Removing these bike lanes ignores both historical precedent and extensive evidence on traffic dynamics, ultimately serving to weaken municipal autonomy, reduce urban safety, and misdirect funds away from valuable infrastructure improvements. I urge the Ontario government to reconsider this proposal in favor of evidence-based policies that enhance, rather than inhibit, urban mobility and safety.