I write not as a resident…

I write not as a resident but as an American tourist that just spent a week in Montreal in October 2024.

I traveled to Montreal *exactly* for the ease of travel its extensive bicycle (and transit) networks afforded. This allowed straight-forward and no-hassle access to so much of the city without having to bring a personal vehicle.

Arriving by train (Amtrak from New York), the protected bicycle routes made travel to my hotel easy and safe. In the days after, the bicycle routes made access to shops, cafes, and transit wonderfully safe and easy.

It is extremely worrying to hear that the mayor of Toronto is considering removing any bike lanes. While Montreal's were extensive, they were not comprehensive and deserve to be expanded. I hope Toronto's government will take similar steps as Montreal, making access to the city for tourists not be dependent on bringing an automobile to your lovely cities.

Please preserve your bicycle routes and continue to expand them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.