As a lifelong resident of…

As a lifelong resident of Toronto who has lived all over the city (including the area where Doug Ford resides), I find it completely ridiculous to remove bike lanes on primary routes. I personally witness countless people using these lanes daily, myself included. The removal or relocation of these lanes will not only increase city traffic but also create hazardous conditions for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike.

Let’s look at the facts: since the introduction of protected bike lanes on routes like Bloor, cycling in Toronto has increased by 36% in certain areas, and the number of vehicle-cyclist collisions has decreased significantly. These lanes are critical for reducing congestion as they offer a safe, efficient alternative to driving and allow for more people to travel through high-traffic areas without adding to car volume.

Furthermore, many of the stats reported by the government against cycling infrastructure are either inaccurate or misleading, with some citing incomplete routes, such as Eglinton Avenue, which is still under construction. Using such skewed data as justification for removing bike lanes, along with the premier’s personal anecdotal evidence on his morning commute in his SUV, is not only disingenuous but fails to acknowledge the proven benefits of completed bike corridors across Toronto.

Studies from cities worldwide confirm that dedicated cycling infrastructure improves traffic flow and reduces commute times. Toronto, with its already high volume of commuters, benefits immensely from this. Removing bike lanes from major arteries is a regressive move that ignores modern urban planning and environmental priorities, while costing taxpayers more in traffic, accidents, and pollution.

With the climate crisis and an increased demand for sustainable, active transportation, dismantling these bike lanes is a move backward. It disregards Toronto’s commitment to reducing emissions and meeting sustainability goals. We need better cycling infrastructure, not less, and dismantling it ignores the needs and safety of thousands who rely on these routes.

I personally knew a woman whose sister passed away after being struck by a driver; she was not on a bike path, and if she had been, this tragedy might have been prevented. Safe, dedicated infrastructure saves lives. Removing these lanes puts lives at risk and undermines the vision of a safer, more accessible Toronto for all. People who bike down these routes will continue too and it will just cause more congestion as well as more fatalities.

As person who loves the city of Toronto, I kindly ask you to reconsider.