The provincial government…

The provincial government should not be interfering with municipalities that are trying to improve and increase transportation options for its residents. A disconnected, unmaintained bike network is one that will receive little traffic. The argument that few use the bike lanes is bunk--imagine if car traffic lanes did not connect to one another just as bike lanes do not; few people would drive if it was so inconvenient. For those who cannot drive (for reasons of pricing, disability, old age, stress, environmental impact concerns, or any number of other valid reasons), bike lanes are essential infrastructure just as much as sidewalks. Cyclists are tax payers just like motorists, and deserve to have a basic standard of safety assured when they leave their homes to commute. When I am driving, I would much prefer that cyclists are isolated and insulated by raised curbs and barriers from my path so I do not have to worry about another variable while driving in a hectic city. This does not mean that they cannot travel along the same routes; in fairness, all travellers, whether by foot, bike, or motor vehicle, should have the ability to travel along the most direct, convenient, and safe path to their destinations. Cyclists should not have to take lengthy detours avoiding the most direct east-west or north-south routes to their destinations like bloor-danforth, or yonge street. Imagine if cars had to constantly be altering their routes and turning around constantly. Now imagine if it was raining, cold, windy, or too hot, and you had to pedal the vehicle yourself while navigating deadly motorist traffic. It is small wonder these routes are not as frequented by cyclists as they are by motorists. Further, bike lanes provide easy funneling into the transit network, especially if one becomes too tired to continue pedalling or the weather become adverse. The TTC could definitely use more funding, while I am on the subject. "If you build it, they will come," it is a saying that applies here. Keep adding car lanes and the traffic will only get worse. Invest in and improve the TTC and build bike lanes and you will see fewer cars on the road blocking your way when you need to get somewhere in a hurry.