I do not support Bill 212…

I do not support Bill 212 for several reasons. Firstly, I was shocked to learn that municipal streets are considered highways and are under provincial legislation. I understand that Highway 417 is a highway but never did I think that a city's main streets and local streets would fall under the same provincial act as they serve quite different purposes. I oppose this Bill as I believe that cities should have full jurisdiction in how their main and local streets are designed, including whether a bike lane is included or not. This bill is provincial overreach.

Secondly, I don't see any scientific data that shows that removing or not permitting bike lanes will improve car traffic. If anything, it would increase traffic congestion with having more cars on the roads that will get stuck in traffic. If traffic is really the primary concern, why isn't public transit the focus as buses and trains can move more people more efficiently then a large number of cars (with single occupants) slowing traffic movement.

Thirdly, requiring a proposed bike lane to also be reviewed at the provincial level is adding more bureaucracy and unnecessarily adding more time and resources for what purpose? I trust the city council and staff to move forward in good faith with their transportation plans, which is based on extensive public consultation and research.

Lastly, the cost to undertake this work - I do not see the cost-benefit analysis. What money will be used to undertake these reviews? For existing bike lanes that are directed to be removed, who pays for this? This is not a good use of taxpayer money and is simply spending money that does not need to be spent. As a taxpayer, I would much rather these dollars are spent in the healthcare system.