My family strongly opposes…

My family strongly opposes Bill 212, which restricts the installation of new bike lanes and gives the Province authority to remove existing ones. It undermines safety, sustainability, and the local autonomy needed to design transportation solutions that work for communities. Frankly, this bill makes me embarrassed to say that I'm from Ontario.

Bike lanes are essential infrastructure. They allow families like mine to travel safely—to school, work, appointments, and local businesses—without relying on cars. For us, this isn’t just about recreation; it’s about having real, safe options. Bike lanes save lives, prevent injuries, and make streets safer for everyone, including people driving.

Claims that bike lanes cause congestion are unfounded. Motor vehicles are the main cause of traffic congestion, as evidenced by the congestion on roads like Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway, which don't even have bike lanes. Bike lanes are incredibly efficient at moving people, and they reduce the number of cars on the road, easing congestion for those who need to drive. Removing bike lanes would only worsen gridlock, not solve it.

This bill is also fiscally irresponsible. Removing existing bike lanes wastes taxpayer money already spent on their design, construction, and public consultation. It is significantly more expensive to rip out infrastructure than to leave it in place. Municipalities, which are best positioned to decide where bike lanes are needed, have not budgeted for these unnecessary changes. This is provincial overreach that imposes costs while reducing safety and choice.

Bike lanes contribute to public health by encouraging active transportation, which reduces the risk of chronic disease, improves mental health, and lowers healthcare costs. They also help us meet climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. This bill runs counter to these priorities and ignores overwhelming evidence of the benefits of bike lanes.

We need more bike lanes, not fewer. This legislation will lead to more injuries and preventable deaths, putting Ontarians at risk. I urge you to abandon this harmful, short-sighted bill and instead support safer, more sustainable streets.