Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024

As motorists, we tend to seethe in stalled commuter traffic, watching cyclists cruising by in their own lane. It is all too easy to focus jealousy, even anger on them. However, when I began to think about the issues supposedly addressed in this “Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024”, I realized that it is more political dog-whistle than good traffic management.

Increased Toronto traffic congestion accompanied installation of many separated and protected bike lanes in Toronto, but it coincided with a dramatic uptick in vehicle traffic after the covid epidemic. Those who conclude that the bike lanes caused congestion are discounting this overwhelming post-covid effect.

I have come to oppose Bill 212 because -

Removal of separated and protected bike lanes and failure to install necessary new ones will increase accidents involving cyclists, with consequent death and injury. Cities with robust cycling facilities are proven to be safer for motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians1.

The above injuries will increase health care costs and place further pressure on a medical system that is already under huge stress. Cyclists cause less wear-and tear on road systems, with reduced costs. Has anybody assessed the economic costs of negate most of the benefits to motor vehicle drivers. In contrast, traffic congestion was actually ameliorated by installing bike lanes in New York2.

The legislation will discourage cycle use in favour of motor vehicle use, with consequent increases in carbon and other emissions

Discouraging cycling will result in more car use, and more pressure on parking spots in downtown areas2.

The legislation will waste public funds in the unnecessary removal of bike lanes in Toronto, costing taxpayers at least $48million PLUS the loss of $27m of public money for the original installation3.

The legislation discriminates against people too poor or too young to operate a car, who are obliged to cycle.

The legislation ignores the increasing popularity of cycling infrastructure. The installed facilities in Toronto increased the number of bike trips from 0.6m in 2017 to 4.7m in 2024 (by Sep. 12)4.

Last, and crucially:

I want to see more local autonomy. The bill takes away powers of the municipalities and vests them with politicians in the provincial government at Queens Park, furthering the centralization of power there. Bill 212 places arbitrary authority in the hands of a minister, permits retroactive decisions and subjects the rest of our Province to the supposed congestion-cure for Metro Toronto. It ties more red tape round an already complicated system.

As a cyclist (Yes, many cyclists are also car drivers!), I use roads with separated and protected bike lanes daily. On very busy streets that lack cycling facilities, I tend to use sidewalks. Yes, that is illegal, but I do it to avoid being injured or killed. This legislation terrifies me!

Wesley E. Marshall, Nicholas N. Ferenchak. Why cities with high bicycling rates are safer for all road users. Journal of Transport & Health, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.03.004

The Role of Walking and Cycling in Reducing Congestion, A Portfolio of Measures. Thorsten Koska, Frederic Rudolph (Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie gGmbH). Flow Project. 2016. https://epub.wupperinst.org/frontdoor/deliver/index/docId/6597/file/659…

Respecting Local Democracy and Cities - Supplemental Report: Impact of Bill 212 Bike Lanes Framework . City of Toronto staff report to City Council , 2024. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-250545…

Bike Share Toronto set to beat 2023 ridership record by October. CBC news report Sep 12, 2024.

(https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bike-share-toronto-ridership-rec…