I do not support the…

I do not support the proposal under Bill 212 to require municipalities to seek provincial approval for the implementation of new bike lanes that would remove an existing lane of traffic, require the Province to remove sections of specific bike lanes within the City of Toronto, and provide the Province with authority to establish a review process on existing bike lanes. I am disappointed in the provincial government for considering this approach, particularly in terms of its environmental and financial implications.

Premier Ford has publicly declared, “I believe in climate change, let's make that clear.” It is undeniable that climate change is real, CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change, and vehicle emissions are a large source of such emissions. In 2016, the Ontario government reported that more than one-third of Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution is caused by the transportation sector, with cars and trucks responsible for more than 70% of that total; see https://www.ontario.ca/page/climate-change-action-plan.

In light of this reality, the provincial government should be championing alternative transportation that reduces overall reliance on driving, and the necessary infrastructure that encourages members of the public to walk, bike, or take public transit where possible. Provincial officials have recognized the importance of “transit-oriented communities”, and also “faster, greener and more reliable transportation.” It is contrary to those public pronouncements for the Province to then turn around and propose the potential removal of bike lanes – crucial infrastructure that supports those faster, greener and more reliable transportation. Bike lanes do not cause congestion; cars and trucks create congestion.

From what I have seen whenever I am in Toronto, bike lanes are critical for public safety. As someone who walks around in Toronto, I also have significant reservations that removing bike lanes would force cyclists to be on the roads dangerously or otherwise ride their bikes on sidewalks – which is dangerous for pedestrians. I also have seen drivers hit cyclists on roads without bike lanes, and ambulances even needing to be called in some circumstances. Having a separate lane for cyclists would reduce the frequency that those incidents happen. Even if you have disregard for public safety, reducing the frequency of those incidents likely would have overall net benefits for the drivers or vehicles on the road.

The proposal is also fiscally irresponsible. The bike lanes on Bloor Street West cost roughly $4.5 million to install, the new route along University Avenue cost $130,000 so far, and the bike lane along Yonge Street cost $3.8 million. It would cost much more to remove those bike lanes. The Province seemingly has not waited for traffic data from the City of Toronto, contrary to its commitment to wait for that data before making any decisions. The Province also has not indicated what “secondary roads” would be acceptable alternatives for bike lakes, and how those alternatives account for the same east-west traffic that Bloor Street West currently handles, or the north-south traffic on University of Yonge.