I am writing as a Toronto…

I am writing as a Toronto driver, biker and pedestrian to express my strong opposition to the proposed bill that aims to limit municipal control over cycling infrastructure. Biking infrastructure is an essential component of urban transportation systems and should remain under the purview of local governments, which are best positioned to understand and address the needs of their communities.

Cycling infrastructure, such as designated bike lanes, improves road safety, REDUCES congestion, and supports sustainable transit solutions. Decisions about these networks must account for the unique challenges and priorities of individual municipalities. For example, Toronto's bike lanes are vital to the city's transportation ecosystem, providing safe, efficient routes for residents and encouraging environmentally friendly commuting. These priorities are different from those in smaller towns or rural areas, which is why a one-size-fits-all provincial approach is counterproductive.

The added red tape this bill introduces hinders municipalities’ ability to respond to local demands and creates unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. Such policies not only slow progress but also risk dismantling existing infrastructure that residents rely on daily.

To be clear, this is not just about cyclists - it is about fostering safer roads for all users, including pedestrians and drivers. Studies repeatedly show that separating bike traffic reduces accidents and makes urban environments more livable. Additionally, bike lanes can and must complement other transportation investments by facilitating connections to public transit and reducing last-mile accessibility challenges. And finally, if biking is made a safe and accessible option for more road users, it will naturally REDUCE the number of cars on the road, lead to less traffic congestion for everyone.

The province should empower local governments, not undermine them. Please reconsider these provisions and prioritize supporting, rather than obstructing, municipalities' efforts to create safer, more sustainable cities. We should focus on moving forward with innovative, people-centered infrastructure, not regressing to outdated car-centric politics.

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Supporting links:

City of Toronto Cycling Study (2019) > page 3 > "Respondents were more likely to say they would like to travel by bike if the street felt safer and there was dedicated bike infrastructure to protect them from traffic"

The Role of Walking and Cycling in Reducing Congestion > page 19-20 > A study in New York containing 3 years of data showed that after introducing separated bike lanes, crashes with injuries were reduced by 17% and the travel time by car through a common route was reduced from 4.5 minutes to just 3.