This bill will make cyclists…

This bill will make cyclists, pedestrians and drivers less safe and does nothing to solve the very real issue of congestion across Ontario.

Removing three bike lanes on University Ave, Bloor St, and Yonge St not only directly impacts me as a daily cyclist going to and from work and getting around the city, but also directly takes away safe and accessible options for thousands of residents and tourists downtown to travel across Toronto as (like it or not) the economic and cultural hub of Ontario.

In a time where usage of Toronto’s BikeShare program has increased enormously - 5.7 million trips in 2023 and almost 5 million already in 2024, with 25,000 people having used it for the first time since May 2024 alone - it is counter productive to say the least to take away clear routes on our streets for this growing and successful transport initiative.

Forcing multiple transport types to use the same section of road unguarded also risks increasing accident rates, which have fallen significantly on Bloor St W since bike lane installation according to the Bloor Annex BIA. More accidents means less safety, more time stuck in traffic and therefore more congestion - not less. It also means lives lost needlessly, when our current system with bike lanes as part of it does so much to prevent this and keep drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safe and moving.

I ask the government to reconsider this bill, and do what is best for us all for our safety, ease of access and prosperity - and keep existing bike lanes on Toronto and Ontario’s streets, allowing municipalities the freedom to choose what transport setup is best for their citizens.