I am a driver and a biker…

I am a driver and a biker who lives in Toronto. I am also a parent of children who bike. The proposed elimination of bike lanes under Bill 212 is appalling for many reasons. The title of the bill, "Reducing Gridlock, Saving Time," is a misnomer. If it becomes unsafe for me or my children to bike the streets of Toronto, I will drive more. I'm certain I am far from alone in that. Fewer bikes and more cars means more gridlock, not less. But even if a minute or two were shaved off my car commute each day, at what price? Bikers will be injured, bikers will die. It's impossible to believe that injuries and deaths are a reasonable trade-off for a slightly shorter commute. Finally, there is the matter of pollution and climate change. Bike lanes mean more bikes on the street, fewer cars on the street, and thus lower emissions. The calculus is simple and direct. This bill is a travesty and should not become law.