Removing bike infrastructure…

Removing bike infrastructure is the dumbest idea ever. It is proven that additional car infrastructure just brings more cars resulting in no change to gridlock. Bike lanes and transit are the real solutions to gridlock.

Make safe routes for cyclists and they will use them. Safe routes means you have a network to get from point a to b with designated lanes from quiet residential streets. High volume areas separated from cars. Winter maintenance performed. Cities in Finland can do this why can’t we? Cities with proper infrastructure have high percentage of population using bikes. Don’t blame lack of cyclists on nobody wanting to commute by bike but blame it on the lack of proper infrastructure. I get asked regularly if I feel SAFE as the person is interested in cycling but feels uncomfortable riding in traffic.

Traffic light signalling improvements are also required. We have areas where we need three stage lights. Pedestrian, bike, and car. Give everyone a chance to get through the intersection. Cities such as Copenhagen have done so for decades.

Arguments that these are “small” countries without the vast area of Canada do not apply to GTA. Urban is urban. Not to mention the goals of higher density for more housing.

Compare passenger density for cars and bikes. Compare person to vehicle ratio of bikes to cars. Maybe cars average 2 people. What is the area a vehicle covers? What are the safety margins around the car? Now take that space and fill it with cyclists on their bikes. We just increased transportation density by a factor of at least three. And when considering SUVs likely 5x.

Cars are not a great option for efficient transportation. Cars are an excellent option for some situations but certainly not for urban areas. Car use should be discouraged in urban areas with other options readily available. Transit and bikes are two great options.

Discourage car use in gridlock prone urbane areas by making them more restrictive to cars. Zones where cars are not permitted at all times. Passes for residents, visitors, commercial traffic. Times of day. Passenger count. Those are a couple of thoughts on zone restrictions to reduce car volume.

I have seen cyclists increase dramatically where they have a safe route. I have cycled year round for a 4km one way commute. I have been an urban cyclist living in Toronto for more than two decades. When I started I had far fewer fellow cyclists. Now, my main route can feel like it has too many cyclists on it. But that is just me being selfish. My bike trip in the city on a typical day is still much faster than taking my car (yes, I DO own a car), just a little slower when I need to slow down for less experienced cyclists who are out there DUE to a safer bike lane.

Bonus points for Idaho stop, education programs for cyclists, and fining both motorists and cyclists who drive dangerously.