Reducing bike infrastructure…

Reducing bike infrastructure in Toronto, particularly on major streets like Bloor, Yonge, and University, would be a major step backward in making the city safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable. Prioritizing car traffic at the expense of bike lanes ignores the clear benefits of cycling infrastructure, including reduced congestion, lower emissions, and increased safety for all road users.

Toronto’s bike lanes have proven to be highly effective in promoting safer, healthier, and greener transportation options. They are essential for reducing our reliance on cars and cutting down on urban congestion — a goal that aligns with the province’s stated aim to “reduce gridlock.” By encouraging more people to cycle instead of drive, these lanes help reduce the very traffic they are now being blamed for.

Moreover, bike lanes make roads safer for cyclists, who are vulnerable road users in need of dedicated space to avoid being forced into mixed traffic. Removing lanes on major thoroughfares would lead to increased danger for cyclists, which in turn discourages people from using bicycles altogether. This would exacerbate congestion as more people choose to drive, compounding environmental harm, and adding to the public health burden.

Finally, considering the environmental implications of such infrastructure decisions is crucial. In a time when cities worldwide are investing in sustainable infrastructure to address climate change, Ontario’s proposal to reduce bike lanes sends the wrong message. We should be expanding, not restricting, infrastructure that reduces emissions and supports a resilient, sustainable urban future.

Instead of cutting back on bike lanes, the province should prioritize and accelerate investments in cycling infrastructure, ensuring that Toronto — and all of Ontario — can reap the benefits of safer, greener, and more efficient transportation.