I am making a comment for …

I am making a comment for "Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane."

This past weekend, fellow Torontonians rallied in the hundreds with their bikes to demand that you PROTECT their lanes, not remove it.

I live in Scarborough, where biking infrastructure is almost non-existant. I drive very often, and driving in Scarborough has gotten increasingly scary and dangerous despite new speed and red light cameras in the area. Crossing at the crosswalk during the pedestrian light has led to multiple close calls, as cars have hit me several times by running the red and failing to stop at red. This shows that drivers are unpredictable and dangerous, and that police enforcement of driving laws is almost non-existant. I can never imagine biking on such roads, even if there are bike lanes.

Downtown Toronto is MADE for biking, it just makes sense. With the large dense areas and shops with storefronts along the highest traffic areas, and with subway stops everywhere bike lanes save lives and offers an additional form of transportation in someone's journey. Our own mayor bikes regularly. Delivery guys use the bikelanes for deliveries which our city and small businesses have come to rely on. In removing the BRAND NEW bike lanes on Bloor and other bike lanes in the heart of the city, you not only waste tax payer money but you also waste time - the time it took for the procedures and policies it took to get those bike lanes in the first place. Each of those bikers will become a driver - a single occupancy vehicle standing in traffic growing irritated with the lights and congestion. 6 bikers = space of 1 car. Do we want Toronto to be a car park? Or a moving city?

Stay in your lane Doug Ford. Leave bike lanes alone.