I am a nurse and have worked…

I am a nurse and have worked in critical care and in the emergency department. Toronto has seen 6 cyclists killed in Toronto this year. Studies indicate that bike lanes significantly reduce the severity of injuries sustained by cyclists. [1][2][3] Further, bicycle lanes do not substantially affect traffic flow [4], and can improve congestion [5]. It is reasonable to believe that removal of bike lanes will cause increased injury and death, and increase congestion. This is not only against the stated goal of this legislation but also unethical.

[1] Smith, Alison MD, PhD; Zucker, Shana; Lladó-Farrulla, Mónica MD; Friedman, Jessica MD; Guidry, Chrissy DO; McGrew, Patrick MD; Schroll, Rebecca MD; McGinness, Clifton MD; Duchesne, Juan MD. Bicycle lanes: Are we running in circles or cycling in the right direction?. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 87(1):p 76-81, July 2019. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002328
[2] Goerke, D., Zolfaghari, E., Marek, A.P. et al. Incidence and Profile of Severe Cycling Injuries After Bikeway Infrastructure Changes. J Community Health 45, 542–549 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-019-00773-z
[3] John Pucher, Ralph Buehler, “Safer Cycling Through Improved Infrastructure”, American Journal of Public Health 106, no. 12 (December 1, 2016): pp. 2089-2091.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303507
[4] Nanayakkara, P., Langenheim, N., Moser, I., & White, M. (2022). Do Safe Bike Lanes Really Slow Down Cars? A Simulation-Based Approach to Investigate the Effect of Retrofitting Safe Cycling Lanes on Vehicular Traffic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073818.
[5] Koska, Thorsten and Frederic Rudolph. “The role of walking and cycling in reducing congestion : a portfolio of measures.” (2017).