It is irresponsible of this…

It is irresponsible of this government to ignore research countering the proposed solutions in this bill in regards to Highway 413, and Ministry approval of municipal bike lanes.

Skipping the Environmental Impact Assessment for Highway 413 is a decision that will have fiscal consequences. Bulldozing through wetlands will impact the area's ability to handle water, something the GTA already struggles with. It will devastate local wildlife, which all play a part in our environment. Any future costs for flooding, food insecurity, clean water, environmental cleanup/restoration will be borne by tax payers.

Building Highway 413 will encourage more drivers to get to their destinations in areas that will not support any more car traffic. The concepts of induced demand, sprawl and the astronomical costs of maintaining all of that have all been researched. Adding more cars and roads will introduce more gridlock, the complete opposite of this bill's intention.

We are in a climate crisis and this government is not taking the steps to provide any alternatives to car dependency.

Secondly, removing bike lanes will just cause more morbidity and mortality. Collisions, even when not causing death, often cause permanent mental and physical damage for both the vulnerable road user and driver. It also discourages new cyclists that are not confident on the road with dangerous and speeding drivers (of which, there is very little enforcement).

I am an orthopaedic nurse. The amount of serious injuries from cars I see is devastating. If airplanes or any other form of transit caused as much death and destruction, no one would use it. The research exists to reduce this, but this government has chosen to ignore science.

I cycle to work, and my family and friends worry every time, wondering if I will make it there in one piece. Why do I still do it? The hospital has limited parking and I want to save spaces for people who have no option but to drive. It also keeps my mental health and physical health in shape. It addresses my eco-anxiety, as I try to do what I can, even though I know the climate cannot be fixed by my singular actions.

Opponents to cycling lanes often cite their physical need to park closer due to disabilities and their age. What about people who cannot afford vehicles? What about children who cannot drive? There are complaints that youth can't cope, but they have no opportunity to practice independence due to dependency on cars. Many would be in a healthier mental and physical state if active transport options were made a priority.

Not only will removing the bike lanes endanger lives, it will continue to make congestion worse. As a cyclist, I will take the whole lane (as is my right) to protect my life. Too many drivers pass too close as a "misjudgment" of distance, or don't see me when I ride too close to the right.

Bike lanes are a municipal matter and should not require approval from the Provincial government.

This bill is intended to be inflammatory on climate, vulnerable road users, the poor, and the people who care about the above. I am so disappointed that the government is choosing to ignore their own research, statistics from businesses around bike lanes, research from around the world that contradicts the sections for Highway 413 and requiring Ministry approval of bike lanes.