I commute weekly to work by…

I commute weekly to work by bike. I take Dundas Street, a four-lane street that does not have bike lanes. Despite this, Dundas Street is regularly congested due to

- construction
- cars and trucks parked on the side of the road
- drivers having to weave in and out of lanes to account for the aforementioned

Removing the bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University would create a similar situation, potentially having the opposite effect of INCREASING congestion. I also suspect that removing lanes will not deter cyclists from using those streets: I take Dundas despite the lack of bike lanes because it’s the fastest way for me to get to work (and I always get there faster than the idling cars that I pass along the way). Many cyclists like me will continue taking Bloor, Yonge and University, even if their bike lanes are removed.

It seems to me that this proposal is being supported by a vocal minority who have the intuitive but incorrect belief that removing bike lanes will reduce congestion. This will certainly not be the case, and I expect to see this proposal withdrawn and in favour of something that improves public education about these issues.