I am a 15 yr student in…

I am a 15 yr student in toronto. I bike to school daily and have been researching bike lanes and urban planing for nearly 3 years.

Bill 212 represents a significant overreach of provincial power into municipal affairs. The government's focus on removing bike lanes is a blatant distraction from the bill's true intent: accelerating highway construction and granting the government greater power to expropriate private land.

The proposed removal of bike lanes is not only costly, estimated at $50 million, but also counterproductive. Studies have shown that removing bike lanes would simply shift traffic to cars, worsening congestion and air quality. This is due to a well-documented principle known as induced demand. Moreover, bike lanes promote sustainable transportation, reduce traffic, and improve public health.

Furthermore, the statistics quoted by Mr Ford are misleading. While it's true that 2% of Ontarians commute by bike and 60% by car, in neighborhoods with established bike lanes, such as Bloor Street, the cycling rate is significantly higher, ranging from 5% to 15%. Additionally, the installation of bike lanes on Yonge Street resulted in a mere 1 minute and 30 second increase in car travel time. Is saving 1 minute and 30 seconds worth a life?

it's crucial to recognize the broader context of Bill 212. By prioritizing highway expansion and weakening land-use regulations, the government risks exacerbating urban sprawl, increasing reliance on cars, and undermining the quality of life in our communities.

I urge the government to abandon the provisions of Bill 212 and instead invest in sustainable transportation solutions that truly benefit all Ontarians.