Not only is this a MASSIVE…

Not only is this a MASSIVE overstep by the provincial government to force this on a municipality, but the reasoning behind it makes absolutely no sense:

- Why is the PROVINCIAL government adding red tape and bureaucracy to decisions that fall under MUNICIPAL jurisdiction?

- Of course cycling for commuting is significantly less than car commuting; there is WAY more car infrastructure than bike infrastructure. Plenty of other cities across the world, including Canadian cities (Montreal, Calgary, etc.), have shown that if you build out solid infrastructure that many people will opt to cycle or use other forms of micro-mobility.

- Inferring that because people don't bike (due to the lack of infrastructure) means that people don't WANT to bike is incorrect. In fact, a study done of Toronto residence shows that there is actually an overwhelming desire to bike more (see attached image).

- The idea that bike lanes CAUSE congestion is just plain misinformation; every study ever NOT done by a corporately backed lobby group has shown that improving pedestrian, bike, and public transit infrastructure eases congestion as not everyone feels they have to drive everywhere.

I could go on for hours about how the reasoning behind this isn't based in any kind of reality, but I'll just end by saying study after study, and real world example after real world example, clearly show that bike infrastructure is better for peoples health, people's wallets, the planet, and even people in cars.