As a driver in the downtown…

As a driver in the downtown Toronto core, I am opposed to the provincial government’s proposal to return bike lines on sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue to motor vehicle lanes. The safety of cyclists far outweighs the minimal time that will be saved. As a driver, I feel much safer when bikers have their own lane compared to when they share the lanes with cars. Bikes get far too close to cars and there is always the risk of not seeing a biker coming up quickly right next to the car and either turning or accidentally changing lanes and ending up in a collision. Driving downtown is challenging enough due to traffic and pedestrians. Bike lanes at least show drivers where to look for cyclists and makes them much more obvious. It also keeps the bikes separate from the cars so they don’t get too close - I’ve seen many bikers squeeze past cars and then slap the hood or the side in anger because they don’t think the car gave enough space. Any plan for urban planning needs to take into account safety and comfort for all transportation modes used in Toronto - not just cars. The proposal takes into account only a suburban view of things where the car is king. Toronto needs to be able to support all its people, most of whom take other modes of transport.