Thorny problems have…

Thorny problems have historically presented themselves throughout our life times. Such is the issue of fossil fuels and the detrimental impact they have had and continue to present to our weakening environment. The increasing frequency and intensity of storms, floods etc. can't reasonably be argued against, as to cause and effect. But, big changes are typically accompanied by resistance, typically by "the many", who in their own self interest resist/object, as their own personal habits are impacted by the change. It is rare, (usually too late), that such change gets implemented. as the consensus of opinions lies with sustaining the status quo. But someone must muster the courage, to start the Change. We typically see Governments step in the best interest of the common good. Without Government taking the lead such necessary changes, they do no occur!
Such is the issue with bike lanes. Adoption/usage is currently low, but proportionately growing rapidly in usage. Not surprisingly their introduction is angering car drivers whose space (may?) has been impinged upon, ... yet I suspect whats angering them is rather how quickly bikes move towards their destination, (compared to the cars).
We in Toronto have deeply embedded problems. Congestion is certainly one! The less cars on the road the better. We need to get cars off the road. Housing is too expensive for many and distances to travell to work et al can be large. Public transit is not meeting constituent needs, (where's the LRT?). Back to work demands are forcing workers to travel downtown. How do they afford it?
If lanes are removed, the bike riders will still be on the road, just riding at increased risk, because the other problems aren't going away soon. During initial stages of rectifying thorniy issues, Governments have to step up. Such is not the case where a provincial Government sees fit to overrule those immediately responsible for implementation, (The City). It's actually aggregious and on the surface self serving. We elect City Councillors to deal with such issues and they have, in the best interest of the Common Good.
The Provincial Government's stance here is also ironic! Currently there is a feeding frenzy occurring with Developers promoting and the Province approving construction of what feels like hundreds of high rises, 30 - 40 storeys high. These building, purporting to be ecologically wise, have severely minimized auto parking, less than a 100 spaces per building, BUT, they brag, with 400 - 500 bicyle racks. That's the future, right? In concert with all the buildings across Toronto, how will these thousands of riders use the Streets of Toronto to move about. Without Bike lanes the occupants of the new construction, including existing resident/pedestrians will be at risk.
Ten years ago my wife and found ourselves in Amsterdam. We were amazed at the size/breadth of bike lanes, into the core of the City. They took up as much space as was available for autos. There were hundreds on bicycles as far as the eye could see. I remarked to myself Wow!, this is the future.
Real change needs the wisdom of Governments. It's too bad we do not have a Government in Queens park that sees this vision.
Signed a car driver who is too old to use a bike, who has seen a glimpse of a better future ahead.