I live in Toronto Ward 15…

I live in Toronto Ward 15 and bike 12km to and 12km from work everyday, for about ten months out of the year. A large portion of my route is on Bloor, from Sherbourne to Ossington. Being able to bike to work allows me to be on time, easily run errands and do business if I need to, and enables me to maintain a healthy level of physical exercise in this busy city. Removal of any bike lane along Bloor would be disastrously hazardous to cyclists like myself, and will indubitably increase the number of cyclist injuries and deaths in the city.

Noticeably the sections of road on my bike route without bike lanes are far more dangerous (and usually in poor condition). Because of this, I'll bike defensively in the centre of the road or lane so as to avoid dips, potholes, and debris on the right of the road, and to avoid being hit or run off the road by drivers on the left. If bike lanes are removed from Bloor, I would be frequently forced to bike this defensive way as it will be the safest way to do so; in the centre of the road so that no one may pass. I am certain I will not be the only cyclist who will choose this method of safety in the absence of bike lanes.

Due to the nature of working in the film industry– I have travelled by bike at all hours; and at every hour no matter how early or late, I will always encounter at minimum five other cyclists on each trip. At peak hours, I'll see more than I can count and keep track of. In my decade of living in Toronto, I've noticed a dramatic increase in usage of the bike share bikes after 2020, and it appears the data correlates with my observations; I attached an article that covers those statistics. Additionally, not once have I ever seen an emergency vehicle get stalled because of bike lanes.

I can tell you what was the cause of so much congestion along Bloor this year, biking consistently along there from January of this year until present, with a break in March and part of April. From my observations it was the construction at the Bloor/Yonge intersection that is in part to blame for the abnormal congestion.

Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars to undo work that has undoubtedly saved lives and protected from harm, it seems reasonable and logical to me to redirect those funds into researching and implementing solutions to road rage, improving public transit, and/or towards other factually-proven measures to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Furthermore, it is plain to me that the provincial government is overreaching into municipal affairs without cause, and dare I add– in bad faith. I am disappointed by the blatantly false claims on the impact of bike lanes on traffic and how frequently they are used that have been made by Premier Ford and his party members.

I am vehemently opposed to Bill 212. I’ve attached articles that further support my comment on Bill 212. I urge you to put an end to this bill.

Sincerely signed,
M. H.