I'm against Bill 212. My…

I'm against Bill 212. My comment is only on the removal of bike lanes on University, Bloor and Yonge and the province's overreach to restrict bike lanes going forward, because they affect my everyday life directly. The removal and restriction of bike lanes will make traffic worse, put people's life in danger, and make living in Toronto even more unaffordable.

First, traffic will not be improved by having more cars and more conflicts between cars and bikers. Traffic will be improved by having less cars and encouraging people to choose public transit, biking and etc. Removing and restricting bike lanes will take away one option from commuters and force some of them to get into cars. Because most people want to be safe and will choose not to ride when there are not consistent bike lanes. In addition, for those who are forced to ride with cars in traffic lanes because driving is just not a reasonable option for them, cars will have to slow down and take another lane to pass them, and it will make traffic worse. It's just common sense when you have bikers and cars sharing the traffic lane.

Second, it is very dangerous for bikers to ride in traffic lanes with cars, especially in downtown Toronto and during traffic time (which is most of time during the day). University and Bloor are two major lines that help bikers to ride north-south and east-west. They are widely used. They help to get bikers off other roads that do not have bike lanes. They are near the U of T and help students (who often don't have money to buy a car) to get to their class. Taking them off will force so many bikers to ride with cars and constantly worry about their life on the road. It is very irresponsible for the provincial government to choose travel time for those who can afford cars over life and safety of those who cannot afford cars.

Third, driving is simply not an affordable option for most young people. I work as a lawyer at one of the Bay Street law firms with good salary, and frankly, I cannot afford living in Toronto AND having a car. The monthly lease payment, car insurance, parking and gas add up to $1,000 per month. I cannot afford spending so much money on a car while paying Toronto rent. That's why I give up my car when I moved back to Toronto from Ottawa last year. Now I don't have a car, biking allows me to still be able to get around the city. It's simply more affordable when I can bike instead of driving. And I cannot do this without consistent bike lanes, especially those on University, Bloor and Yonge.