Responding to "Bill 212 -…

Responding to "Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane."

As a citizen of Ontario, I am deeply upset about the additional bureaucracy and red tape that this bill will entail and am outraged that local democracy is being denied because the premier of Ontario thinks he knows better or is looking for a wedge issue to win some votes.

I refuse to let my tax dollars be used to finance a childish war on bikes (a war on decency, really) or to build some white elephants like Highway 413 or a freeway tunnel under the 401.

Cycling improves physical and mental health and road diets have been proven to significantly reduce aggressive driving and the risk of car collisions. This means fewer people at the hospital and a less expensive health care system to be sustained by taxpayers.

Cycle lanes improves the local economy by allowing more people to travel in front of local businesses. Removing cycle lanes, or preventing their addition, will be detrimental to the hard working citizens who own a shop or a restaurant along strategic corridors.

Cycling is a much cheaper mode of transportation than driving. People trying to save money should be given the same respect and consideration as everyone else, regardless of the percentage of trips they represent.

Cyclists should not have to travel on a car lane (and thus block traffic) on a busy road, nor should they be forced to use the sidewalk or take long detours to avoid busy roads. They should not be discouraged from cycling either. The more people choose cycling as a mode of transportation, the less people drive and the lower the risk of congestion. The reverse is true: forcing everyone to drive will cause more congestion, no matter how many car lanes you add.

Bill 212 will NOT reduce gridlock or save people time.