I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed legislation to remove bike lanes on major streets in Toronto, including Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. This proposal undermines efforts to build sustainable, healthy, and livable cities and contradicts global best practices for managing urban growth and reducing congestion.

1. Bike Lanes Reduce Congestion, Not Increase It
Studies consistently show that bike lanes encourage multimodal commuting, reducing the number of cars on the road. When people have safe alternatives like cycling, traffic congestion decreases, benefiting all road users—including drivers. For example:
a) New York City: A study by the NYC Department of Transportation found that bike lanes on 9th Avenue reduced traffic delays by 35% while increasing cycling by 50%.
b) Copenhagen: Approximately 62% of Copenhageners bike to work daily, reducing car traffic significantly and making it one of the world’s most livable cities.
c) Toronto’s bike lanes have demonstrated similar success. The Bloor Street bike lane pilot increased cycling volumes by 56% and reduced car travel times by just 2.5 minutes, showing that these lanes benefit more people than they inconvenience.

2. Health and Environmental Benefits
Encouraging cycling leads to cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and healthier communities. Removing bike lanes increases reliance on cars, worsening air quality and harming public health:
a) Public Health: A study from the University of Glasgow found that regular cycling to work reduces the risk of premature death by 41%.
b) Environment: Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. Expanding car lanes worsens the climate crisis, while cycling infrastructure helps cities meet climate targets.

3. Livable Cities Are Economically Competitive
Cities with robust cycling infrastructure attract businesses and residents. Safe, accessible bike lanes support thriving local economies by encouraging foot and bike traffic near shops, restaurants, and services. Removing these lanes sends the message that Ontario prioritizes cars over vibrant urban communities.

4. Misaligned Priorities
The argument that removing bike lanes will alleviate congestion is not supported by evidence. Expanding road capacity often leads to induced demand, where more cars use the road, perpetuating congestion. Investments in multimodal transportation, on the other hand, provide long-term solutions to gridlock.

The focus should be on expanding and improving cycling infrastructure, not dismantling it. This aligns with global trends and addresses the challenges of urban growth, sustainability, and public health.

Recommendation
Instead of removing bike lanes, Ontario should:

1) Invest in expanding cycling infrastructure to encourage multimodal commuting.
2) Promote public education on the benefits of cycling.
3) Use data-driven approaches to demonstrate how bike lanes reduce congestion and support healthier communities.

Let’s create an Ontario where people have safe, reliable, and sustainable options for getting around. Removing bike lanes is a step backward and would harm Toronto’s reputation as a forward-thinking, livable city. I urge the government to reject this proposal.