I cannot express how…

I cannot express how flabbergasted I am that this bill exists. With all the global evidence culled by formal research that proves cycling infrastructure helps BOTH non-drivers AND drivers and reduces gridlock, I am beyond perplexed by this government's decision to rip out valuable infrastructure.

I am a homeowner in Toronto that uses every single form of transportation – walking, cycling, public transit, ride share, and personal driving – and without fail, no matter what mode I am using, I am given ample daily evidence that cycling infrastructure is not only vital, but road space reserved for parked and moving vehicles hinders it ALL.

This bill is punative toward non-drivers, and shows that giving precedent to cars ignores the very public danger that they present. Because cars and drivers have gotten more dangerous since traffic enforcement drastically reduced, I now cycle less, and am relieved my family does as well. Many of my friends experience the same thing. The daily heart attack endured by cycling just isn't worth it. So what happens instead? Often another car on the road, or no travel at all. So this means less engagement with neighbourhoods. If kowing to business interests is what this province wants to do, then it should realize that removing cycling infrastructure reduces spending in local business, not increases it. One just need look at programs and cities that have replaced car space for bikes. Not to mention to ecological cost of more cars on the road: more fossil fuel, more smog, more noise pollution in neighbourhoods…

I am just so angered by this bill, and the willful ignoring of actual scientific research around cycling and cities. What has happened to listening to actual evidence to make decisions? It's beyond reason.

What I would like to know is how the province can qualify this bill. If there is ample ACTUAL proof that ripping out alternative travel infrastructure will help the issue, then so be it. But it doesn't exist, and yet here we all all, fighting ignorance. Make it make sense.