Safe, connected and…

Safe, connected and extensive bike lanes are key to increasing ridership especially in up to max 5 - 7km trip length. Trip studies show that a large portion of vehicle trips in the city are in this range. It is especially critical to increase ridership by young people to get more people out of cars for trips that can be completed easily by alternate forms of transportation. Bike lanes are the only safe way to get our kids and young people riding. I have also seen a lot of elderly people with shopping baskets on their bikes on the bloor bike lanes. Seniors often can't drive and cycling is a viable alternative for many but they are another vulnerable population that needs protected bike lanes. in addition not everyone can afford a car. Cycling is a preferred way to get around the city and people really should try it before they denounce it. Our family like to ride because it is so convenient. Saves time, provides exercise, parking readily available, easy to make many stops to shop, ability to connect with people you pass, environmentally friendly. The number one reason people tell us they won't ride is because they don't think it is safe. We should try to encourage cycling by adding to the existing cycling network and improving the safety of cycling. Leave the car lanes for people on longer trips, mobility challenges, delivery vehicles or service people who travel between clients etc. If you haven't tried getting somewhere on the bike lanes yourselves or talked to friends or family who use them, you need to before you make the grave mistake of reducing the cycle network in the city.