Thank you for this…

Thank you for this opportunity to comment. I live in Toronto and cycling is my primary mode of transport around the city. I cycle to and from work everyday I am in the office, typically 4 days per week. I also cycle to virtually all other activities, including medical appointments and social events.

Safety

I rely on the city bike lanes, including the lanes proposed for removal on Bloor St, Yonge St and University Ave. I am extremely concerned that the removal of these bike lanes will seriously jeopardize the safety of all cyclists in the city.

On August 31, 2024 my wife was struck by a car in a hit and run while biking on a street without a bike lane. She was nearly killed and spent four days in the trauma ward at St. Michael’s Hospital. This hit and run was reported in the news: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/08/31/police-search-for-hit-and-run-dr…

This awful experience reiterated the need for more bike lanes in Toronto, not less. Many cyclists, myself included, do not feel safe cycling on roads without bike lanes. These bike lanes protect the safety of all cyclists in Toronto and should not be removed.

Benefits of Cycling

Cycling offers numerous benefits. It provides exercise and boosts physical and mental wellbeing, which benefits our economy by increasing productivity and decreasing healthcare costs. It benefits the environment by reducing pollution. It is often the fastest way to travel, which again benefits the economy by reducing time wasted in traffic. Cycling is also by far the most affordable mode of transport available in the city. I exclusively use the BikeShare Toronto service. This costs me $120 per year or $10 per month. A monthly transit pass for the TTC costs $156 per month. A car is estimated to cost about $1300 per month. Using a bike is by far the most affordable option. Given the stratospheric cost of living in Toronto, many of us cannot afford anything else.

Bike lanes save time and money and should not be removed.

Thank you.