I have lived in Toronto for…

I have lived in Toronto for over a decade (in South Etobicoke for 5 years), and am a driver, pedestrian, transit user and cyclist. I am extremely concerned about your government's position on bike lanes and proposed Bill 212, which would remove existing major bike lanes in Toronto and add a cumbersome layer of bureaucracy to the installation of new cycling infrastructure. I am unequivocally against it. Bill 212 is dangerous, irresponsible, and not at all evidence-based. It is also a total overreach of provincial power.

People living in Toronto (and in Ontario, but let's be real - this reads as a personal vendetta against Toronto, again) need efficient, safe, environmentally responsible and economical ways of getting to work, school, childcare, play and beyond. To use a favourite term of Conservative governments: cycling is "common sense". There are so many benefits to cycling: it is more environmentally friendly than driving (critical in an era of climate change), is fast and efficient, promotes exercise (which in turn, reduces healthcare costs), and is accessible to more people (not everyone can afford cars!). A critical mass of people on bikes will reduce strain on transit and car lanes. However, that critical mass will not be achieved if bike infrastructure is not safe, and especially not if it does not exist. Moreover, more cyclists will die if your government removes our bike lanes.

There is plenty of evidence, both formally researched and anecdotal, that bike lanes DO NOT, on their own, negatively impact business. This has been disproven in Toronto and beyond. Do not use this as a reason to remove bike lanes on major streets. I include links to various resources at the bottom of this comment. It is shameful that I have to do so.

In terms of increases in vehicle travel times, if traffic needs to move more slowly to accommodate safe cycling infrastructure, so be it. At this point, it becomes a question of values. I value the benefits of cycling and Vision Zero far over the inconvenience of a few extra minutes of drive time. So do 120 physicians in a petition that I linked through this commenting portal. That said, of course all potential adjustments should be made to improve travel times, such as signal timing or road design. Moreover, if adjustments need to be made to allow for emergency vehicles, we should defer to Emergency Services departments, who are the experts on that matter.

To repeat, I do not support Bill 212. Our population is going to continue to grow, and I think we agree that our roads can’t accommodate many more cars. (So does the Ontario Professional Planners' Institute; I have included a link to their formal statement through this portal, as well). Without drastic action, climate change will continue to affect Toronto. For all the jargon around “common sense”, there’s truly no logic in what you’re doing. Cycling as a mode of transportation is a GOOD thing that your government should be encouraging and partnering to improve with all levels of government, not actively obstructing.