I am writing to share my…

I am writing to share my concerns with the proposed Bill 212, "Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024". As a resident of Ottawa, I am strongly opposed to this proposed bill and urge the provincial government and urge for its withdrawal, for several reasons:

1. Extensive academic studies have shown that cycling lanes help reduce traffic congestion, not increase them, even if a lane of motor vehicle traffic is removed. Because of the induced demand that adding cycling lanes generate, more people will choose to ride a bicycle rather than drive, leading to a modal share shift away from driving and reducing the volume of cars. Cycling is simply much more space-efficient than driving, enabling more people to move in the same geometric space than if they were in cars. Please see the attached PDF "latest-evidence-on-induced-travel-demand-an-evidence-review" as an example.

2. By separating cyclist and motor traffic into their own lanes, roads are made significantly safer for all of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Drivers will not have to worry about cyclists blocking their lane if there are separate cycling lanes. This is particularly important for children who cycle to school, who deserve safe, high-quality cycling infrastructure to avoid collisions.

3. The government should not introduce extra red tape and bureaucracy to a municipal issue by mandating an extra level of review for cycling lanes. This is an inefficient use of taxpayer dollars and amounts to micromanaging local concerns that are best dealt with by local municipalities.

4. Cycling lanes support existing transit infrastructure and ongoing transit investments such as Ottawa's LRT Stage 2, the Eglinton Crosstown, and Ontario Line, by making it easier for people to reach transit stations. In doing so, more people are encouraged to take public transit, further taking cars off the road and reducing traffic congestion.

5. Surveys such as the official Ottawa Cycling Plan (2013, see link) have shown that there is significant potential demand for cycling among residents of Ontario's major urban centres, but a lack of proper cycling infrastructure prevents them from doing so. In the 2013 survey, for example, 40% of respondents stated that better cycling facilities such as bike lanes would encourage them to cycle.

6. Adding cycling lanes encourage more people to frequent businesses on the streets they are located on, stimulating the local economy and supporting small businesses. For example, the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (2019)found that the addition of cycling lanes on Bloor Street led to not only a higher volume of customers visiting local businesses, but also that those customers spent more on average (see attached).

Thank you for your consideration on this urgent issue. Cycling lanes are vital to vibrant, safe, and economically sound communities. The Government of Ontario should be advancing policy that supports, not inhibits, cycling lanes.