Bike lane approval has…

Bike lane approval has always been a municipal decision and not a provincial decision. Adding provincial red tape hinders the ability of municipalities and local communities across Ontario to make their own decisions.

This act increases the expenses of municipalities, without providing them any type of financial aid. Municipalities in Ontario are already hurting financially, yet will be required to 'facilitate' the removal of bike lanes in their municipality. Removing existing bike lanes is an expensive endeavor, and there are better uses of tax payer dollars.

Removing bike lanes will increase healthcare costs - both through decreased safety for cyclists, but also increased air pollution for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. Studies have shown that when you remove a lane of traffic and add a bike lane, the levels of NO2 decrease for bicyclists. Long-term and high-dose NO2 exposure can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, lung cancer and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. The provincial government should be trying to reduce our healthcare costs, not increase them, by working on solutions that decrease air pollution and promote healthy physical activity like cycling.

Finally, this act is not being executed in good faith. On one hand it says it would require municipalities to submit information about existing bike lanes where an existing vehicle lane was removed, and based on the outcome of the review they might require the removal of the bike lane; on the other hand, the act clearly states that they are removing the bike lanes on Bloor St, University Ave and Yonge St (without any review or data to back it up).