Removing bike lanes…

Removing bike lanes disregards the important concept of induced demand, which significantly influences congestion. While reallocating vehicle lanes to bike lanes may initially increase traffic, evidence from cities like New York City and San Francisco shows that well-developed cycling networks lead to higher cycling rates and even a reduction in car traffic over time. For example, in New York City, a major midtown street experienced a 35 percent reduction in average vehicle travel times a few years after bike lanes were introduced.

Toronto is similarly positioned, with conditions becoming more favorable for using bike infrastructure to reduce car dependency and ease congestion. A connected cycling network is vital for this transition, and removing bike lanes on key East-West and North-South corridors weakens the city's ability to realize these benefits. The growing demand for cycling in Toronto is clear from Bike Share Toronto’s data: annual trips surged from 665,000 in 2015 to 5.7 million in 2023, with over 6 million expected in 2024. Preserving and expanding bike lanes is essential to accommodate this demand and lessen car reliance.