This bill is at odds with…

This bill is at odds with research and data that shows that bike lanes help to decrease traffic by removing cars off the road. There is a low percentage of cyclists on the roads, because most cities do not have safe infrastructure to do so.

Cyclists will continue to use roads even without a bike lane, but this will create more congestion as mixing cars and bikes means cars will be forced to safely pass bikes at slower speeds. More lane changes, more stops, ands more cycling deaths. All of this in favour of something not guaranteed, few minutes of driving. If there is more lanes, more people will drive and there will be congestion. However, if there is more bike lanes, more people will feel safe to bike and there will be less cars on the road. Why not put energy into adding more bike lanes, buses, and transit to remove more cars on the roads so only those who need to drive, can drive without congestion? I empathize with the wish to increase commute times, but let's increase commute times for all. Not just cars.

On a recent trip in the evening, I drove instead of biking and it took me twice as long. The route I drove only partially had bike lanes and prior, it was parked cars. The bike lanes are not to blame, its the fact that most people are driving because the route is incomplete. When I bike, I take up less space on the road, and can get to my destinations quicker. The bike lanes mean I am safe.

People deserve safe options.