I am OPPOSED to Bill 212 for…

I am OPPOSED to Bill 212 for the following reasons. Please DO NOT pass this bill.

What's wrong with the bill

It won't reduce gridlock or save you time. Simply put, motor vehicles cause congestion, not bikes. Despite unfounded claims to the contrary, the evidence shows that bike lanes do not create additional congestion, whereas people switching from bikes to cars does. Combined with proposals to build the new 413 highway and create a traffic tunnel under the 401, these plans further lock us into the car-centric planning decisions that lead to congestion in the first place.
At present, municipalities have the authority to design and install bicycle lanes on roads under their jurisdiction based on their own priorities and transportation context. This bill is provincial overreach into municipal decision-making.
Removing bike lanes can be considerably more costly than installation. Municipalities have not budgeted for this, and even if the province picks up the tab, ripping out functional transportation infrastructure is not fiscally responsible.
A singular focus on “making life easier for drivers” will only make life harder for all road users. Yes, some people prefer or need to drive, but many people don't, and in any community at least 30% of people can't drive due to age, ability, or access, and they need real options too.
This move is out of line with other provincial priorities, such as growth targets, efforts to boost transit, and the current e-scooter micromobility pilot program.

Why we need more (not fewer) bike lanes

A few key reasons why municipalities across Ontario have committed to building bike lanes:

Bike lanes are an incredibly efficient way of moving people and are able to move many more people per hour than a lane focused primary on moving motor vehicles.
Bike lanes help to provide transportation choice, which helps to reduce the overall number of motor vehicles on the road. Just as highways result in more car trips, bike lanes increase cycling trips.
Bike lanes save lives, and help to make our roads safer for everyone, including people in motor vehicles.
Reallocating road space to transit and active transportation reduced traffic volumes and GHG emissions without substantially changing traffic speeds.
Cycling is an effective way to incorporate physical activity into daily life, reducing the risk of chronic disease, reducing stress, and improving mental health.
There is a wealth of evidence in support of building bike lanes, some of which has been summarized in Stuckless Consulting “Active Transportation Benefits Research Tracker”.