Please leave decisions about…

Please leave decisions about bike lanes in the hands of municipal governments. We shouldn't have to seek approval from the province to add bike lanes to our neighbourhoods.

I understand that there have been some unpopular decisions made in the 905 regarding bike lanes however, they are essential to Toronto's downtown core. My family are Toronto residents, many of us are families who own just a single car or have no car at all. Often these constraints are due to financial requirements - cars are expensive. Sometimes they can be as simple an issue as parking. Most of the homes in my neighbourhood - except for the wealthiest residents - only have parking for a single car. Cycling is my primary mode of transportation, which is also true of my neighbours and about 25% of my colleagues. Bike lanes are essential infrastructure for us. My neighbours, colleagues, and I are excited about expanding bike lanes on major streets to alleviate the congestion along Toronto's East-West axis.

This government can show its support of autonomy for Ontario residents by allowing local communities and cities to determine their transportation concerns.

I suggest the government focus on improving regional and inter-city transit to improve the gridlock situation and give commuters more options to travel to work. 15-minute GO Trains would be pretty incredible, but extended service to further places like Barrie would also help. i.e. 30-minute Trains running to Barrie departing from Union until 8pm.