Cars create traffic. This…

Cars create traffic.

This piece of proposed legislation that will only accomplish the opposite of its stated aim. This proposal ignores a significant body of research showing that bike lanes do not create traffic congestion and, in fact, improve it by giving people choice in the transportation they will use. The end result of bike lanes is fewer cars on the road taking up space on the road and less traffic.

It is well-established through legitimate evidence-based research that bike lanes remove cars from the road by offering people additional options for transit, which reduces traffic congestion, improves public safety, and has positive impacts for the environment. Bike lanes, when left clear of obstruction, can also be used as bypass lanes for emergency vehicles as they are often significantly less crowded than lanes for vehicles.

If Premier Ford were actually interested in "getting Toronto moving" then he would listen to what experts have to say on this subject and would be investing in a variety of transportation infrastructure. This would include not only bike lanes but also significant public transit infrastructure improvements and expansions that can be implemented in the short term, such as improved bus service and dedicated bus lanes, alongside longer-term projects like subway extensions.

The proposal to remove existing infrastructure that is in good condition and does not need to be replaced is a partisan waste of taxpayer money and unnecessary interference with the City of Toronto.