Doug Ford's Bill 212, aimed…

Doug Ford's Bill 212, aimed at removing bike lanes that occupy one lane of traffic, is deeply misguided and fails to address the real causes of gridlock in Ontario’s cities. Traffic congestion is caused primarily by an overabundance of cars, not by cyclists or bike lanes. Bike lanes play a crucial role in reducing gridlock by encouraging people to shift from driving to cycling, a more efficient and sustainable mode of transportation. Removing bike lanes would force more cyclists back into cars or unsafe conditions, exacerbating traffic congestion and reducing road safety.

Additionally, bike lanes contribute to healthier cities by improving air quality and encouraging active transportation. Studies consistently show that cities with robust cycling infrastructure experience fewer traffic delays and higher road efficiency as bikes take up significantly less space than cars. Ford’s decision to scapegoat bike lanes as a source of gridlock ignores these facts and undermines efforts to make Ontario's urban areas more livable and environmentally sustainable. This move highlights a lack of vision from the Ford government, which should focus on comprehensive transit solutions rather than shortsighted policies that prioritize car dependency.