I am a resident of Toronto…

I am a resident of Toronto who uses the bike lanes downtown every day, not only to go to work but also to attend classes, visit family and friends, run errands, and for recreational purposes. I want to reject this bill since it indiscriminately eliminates bike lanes, an essential piece of the traffic infrastructure, key for road safety as well as for traffic solutions, for the local economy, and for the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants.

Bike lanes play a vital role in ensuring road safety by keeping cyclists separate from cars, which drastically reduces accidents. Cities with dedicated bike lanes report fewer collisions and fatalities, as these lanes help both cyclists and drivers navigate more safely. Removing them will push cyclists into car-dense streets, making accidents more likely and putting more people at risk.

For traffic management, bike lanes are a proven way to alleviate congestion. In major cities, encouraging cycling over driving reduces traffic volume, making travel smoother and faster for everyone. Cutting bike lanes would only increase car dependency, leading to more gridlock on Toronto’s already busy roads.

Economically, bike lanes benefit local businesses, as cyclists are more likely to stop at shops and restaurants than car commuters. Studies show that bike-friendly areas experience higher customer traffic for small businesses, a critical factor in supporting local economies. Removing bike lanes risks losing this benefit and slowing down urban economic growth.

Additionally, the 1.2% bike ridership figure cited by the provincial government misrepresents this urban area, where cycling is a primary means of transport for many, not only for commuting but also for any other purpose, even biking as a form of work, as delivery drivers do. This data is skewed with areas of poor cycling infrastructure and doesn’t reflect the true importance of bike lanes in the city.

These are the bike lanes that currently allow me and many others to navigate the city safely. Removing them disregards our right to safe, accessible transportation and will increase congestion, accidents, and pollution. I strongly urge you to reconsider and reject this bill in the interest of a safer, healthier, and more sustainable Ontario.