I am a Toronto resident and…

I am a Toronto resident and extremely opposed to this proposed bill. I do not think that the provincial government and the ministry should override municipal by-laws, particularly without public approval or consultation. I worry that this will wreak havoc on existing municipal planning processes and not in fact solve the issues of traffic congestion.

I am most concerned about the possibility of the provincial government using this bill to remove bike lanes in municipalities where they have no business meddling in local affairs. Every bike on the road means one less car, and cycling infrastructure is an important part of future planning, lessening carbon emissions, and is a deeply affordable way for people to travel during an otherwise crushing affordability crisis.

Many studies show that bike lanes reduce traffic, they have lower emissions and they support local businesses, look at any thriving contemporary city and you will see a network of cycling infrastructure that encourages a diversity of modes of transportation.