As a driver in Toronto for…

As a driver in Toronto for more than 20 years, and not a biker, I am confident that the expansion of bike lanes in the city has IMPROVED my commutes, not worsened them. Before bike lanes, I had many terrifying near-misses with bikes weaving in and out of traffic lanes as they had nowhere else to go. I was constantly worried someone would be harmed. The bike lanes allow more people to commute and to carry out deliveries - the demand for which has increased exponentially since Covid - safely without cars, reducing rush hour strain on traffic and TTC. An entire industry has grown up in bike and e-bike delivery -- if bike lanes are removed, it is not just intrepid commuters who will be put at risk of death and disability, but WORKERS, and the BUSINESSES (restaurants, grocery especially) that employ them. All of our commutes will be negatively affected, and PEOPLE WILL DIE without the layer of safety between bikes and cars. Furthermore, any lengthening of driving times we've experienced has been due to endless construction and highway lane closures - namely the Gardiner exit onto Lakeshore - not bike lanes.