Hi! I am strongly against…

Hi!

I am strongly against this motion. Cities need to be able to make local decisions about local issues- such as the inclusion of a bike lane- without being caught up in bureaucratic red tape.

Adding (or re-adding) traffic lanes will not solve congestion. Energy needs to be focused on addressing actual causes of congestion in cities- intersections and car volume- not on implementing "solutions" that are proven to not work, such as widening streets. Narrower streets are also safer for everyone, as motorists won't travel as fast down these city pathways.

As we move into the future, we need to design cities that meet accessibility needs and reduce our carbon emissions- neighbourhoods being bikeable and walkable is a step toward that.

Particularly in large cities like Toronto, there is no safe way to travel by bike without bike lanes. The streets-particularly if there is parking- are unsafe and unpredictable, especially during rush hours and inclement weather. Bikes on the road add to the stress, annoyance, and need for vigilance for drivers- having designated (ideally not just painted but raised) bike lanes saves everyone a headache & makes the roads safer for everyone.

Bikers can't ride on the sidewalk because- aside from it not being legal- the sidewalks are busy with pedestrians. A designated bike lane gives people on bikes, e scooters, motorized mobility devices, and others on wheels a safer place to travel without annoying or endangering pedestrians.

Folks without cars and those who can't drive- including youth, some elderly, and some people with disabilities - benefit from having safe and reliable alternate modes of transport. More connections mean people can participate in community more and reduce isolation, regardless of whether they own a car.

And the better our cities' bike infrastructure becomes, the more connected the networks and safer the lanes- the more people will use them, getting people moving and some cars out of our congested arteries.

Yes, there will be times where a bike lane doesn't make the most sense in a certain spot, or there could be a different implementation that would work better- but this kind of super-local issue is something municipalities should be able to work out with their constituents, and not need to go through a review at Queens Park.

Finally, regarding the proposed dismantling of the bike lanes on Yonge, Bloor, and University in Toronto-- Please, no. These routes are essential in navigating the city, and in a city plagued by construction projects going over time and over budget, it is incredibly frustrating when politicians want to tear out something that was just built. Let the bike lanes serve their purpose, and maybe instead of tearing up all that roadway yet again, put the money into maintaining our transit or something.

Thank you.