I strongly oppose Ontario…

I strongly oppose Ontario Bill 212 (Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024) for several key reasons. The idea that removing bike lanes will alleviate traffic is flawed and lacks evidence. Studies and historical data indicate that removing bike lanes tends to worsen, not improve, traffic congestion. This approach could also increase accidents and fatalities, ultimately raising costs for healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems.

As a Toronto resident, I’ve adapted to the city’s needs by choosing cycling for health, savings, and reduced gridlock. I recently moved into a house on Dundas street where there are essential bike routes to avoid car reliance. This proposal, however, penalizes my choices and heightens my risk of injury.

The Bloor-Danforth, College, Dundas and University Ave corridors are ideal for bike infrastructure, spanning the city east to west, north to south. Removing bike lanes will only increase gridlock by encouraging more cars, not solving the problem. Side streets aren’t a safe or effective alternative to cross major intersections like the Bloor Viaduct.

Rather than putting in more redtape and bureaucracy that may compromise public safety and weaken urban infrastructure, Ontario should prioritize finish building the long overdue and over budget Eglington Crosstown LRT, and put more investments in areas like healthcare and education, which directly benefit residents. These investments would better serve the long-term needs of Ontarians than dismantling bike lanes for the sake of traffic flow.

Toronto isn’t just a pass-through for drivers; it’s where we live. We need infrastructure that serves locals, not just those passing through. I will never support or vote for anyone who champions this flawed proposal.