Hi, I am a resident of…

Hi, I am a resident of Ontario, Toronto, and I am extremely disappointed in the provincial government's decision to remove cycle lanes on important cycling corridors such as Bloor St, University Ave, and Yonge St.

I am a healthcare worker and I use the cycle lanes on Bloor St W and University Ave to get to work safely and cheaply. In fact, I sold my car to save on car insurance, gas costs, and parking costs. However, the province keeps making life unaffordable to its residents by discouraging them from taking cheaper and sustainable modes of transportation. It is also not taking into consideration the concerns of downtown business owners as they have mentioned that the cycle lanes have increased foot traffic and reduced vacancies in their area. Moreover, as a taxpayer, I am worried about the price tag associated with the removals of the cycle lanes, which leads me to believe that this government is not serious about keeping government spending and the budget deficit under control.

Yet, I do understand that there may be traffic congestion concerns due to the installation of new cycle lanes. I am sure that the province can make a compromise with the city of Toronto and remove the section of bike lanes on Bloor St W in Etobicoke and Yonge St in Toronto, and keep the existing infrastructure on University, Bloor (downtown), as the benefits of cycling infrastructure through the city's downtown far outweigh the perceived drawbacks. I would also agree to a temporary moratorium on new cycling infrastructure until construction projects and lane closures have concluded. Ironically, the highest proportion of lane closures in the city is caused by Metrolinx, under provincial jurisdiction, and not cycle lanes (according to a report by the city of Toronto), which is not a good look for a provincial government that touts itself as easing traffic congestion throughout the province.

I have never been a political person, but ever since the province proposed Bill 212, which defies common sense, I am becoming increasingly drawn to opposing parties such as the Ontario Liberal Party or the Ontario NDP.