Dear honourable MPPs and all…

Dear honourable MPPs and all committee members,

I am reaching out to express my strong opposition to Bill 212, recently proposed by the Ontario Provincial Government.

I've lived in Toronto for more than two years now. I chose to attend graduate school here partly because the city offers me independence throught its pedestrian-friendly urban planning, affordable transit, and bike lane systems.

Bill 212 undermines the city's dedication to expanding bike lanes and takes us in the wrong direction. Reducing bike lanes, particularly those that have already been built with city money, with property taxes that I have paid as a homeowner, to prioritize vehicle traffic is counterproductive to reducing congestion.

Studies consistently show that adding traffic lanes only induces demand, which means more cars, more congestion, and higher accident rates in the long-term. It seems like every other day I go online and see local news reporting of yet another byclist or pedestrian death or life-changing injury due to a collision, reckless driving, or speeding.

In contrast, protected bike lanes encourage more people to choose cycling, which reduces car traffic over time and creates safer roads for everyone. In Toronto, many of my own colleagues and loved ones cycle regularly either with their own bikes or using the paid Bike Share system.

If the goal of the Provincial government is to ease congestion, then giving people MORE transportation options, not fewer, is essential. Toronto is an ever-growing city that is still recovering after the pandemic. To accommodate this growth sustainably, we need to provide infrastructure for all modes of transportation. Limiting this choice will lead to greater congestion, lower mobility, and a heavier reliance on vehicles—outcomes that many in our community are actively trying to avoid.

People want options. As more families choose single-car households, as more people prefer walking or cycling to work, and as more parents want their children to walk to school safely, we must ensure our streets support these choices. Many in the city are also mindful of their environmental footprint, especially the young people I know who will be the scientific and political leaders of tomorrow, and are looking for transportation alternatives that align with these values. I respectfully demand that the city makes their safety and the safety of all of its residendents a priority.

Bill 212 represents gross overreach by the Provincial government, and cities should be allowed to make decisions regarding transport in their jurisdictions based ONLY on the needs of their city's residents and no one else. This bill would remove municipal independence and waste taxpayer dollars.

This bill does not reflect the needs, values, or desires of Toronto's residents. I urge you to oppose this bill and to encourage your voting colleagues to also oppose this bill, and to advocate for the safe, sustainable, and community-centered transportation infrastructure that all residents across the province want and deserve.

Thank you very much for your time.