I am deeply opposed to Bill…

I am deeply opposed to Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, especially the framework that would allow for the removal of bike lanes to reinstate traffic lanes. Since arriving in Canada nearly two years ago, the Bloor Street bike lane has been a vital part of my daily life. I rely on it almost every day of the year for safe, reliable transportation. I use it to get to work, to go the gym, to get groceries, and to see my friends. Removing bike lanes like this one not only compromises the safety of cyclists but it also undermines the progress that Toronto has made in building a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.

The idea that removing bike lanes will reduce gridlock is fundamentally flawed and is not supported by evidence. Numerous studies from cities worldwide, such as New York, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, have shown that adding protected bike lanes encourages more people to cycle, reduces car dependency, and ultimately improves traffic flow by taking cars off the road. Removing bike lanes discourages cycling and forces more people into cars or public transit, worsening congestion rather than alleviating it.

Bike lanes are essential for creating a safer, greener, and healthier city. They encourage active transportation, reduce emissions, and create safer streets for all road users. Removing a bike lane to prioritize cars sends a regressive message about the kind of city we want Toronto to be, a city for cars, rather than a city for people. Instead of dismantling progress, the Ontario government should invest in expanding and improving cycling infrastructure, which benefits everyone, not just cyclists.

I urge the government to reconsider this bill and focus on evidence-based strategies to reduce gridlock, rather than taking away the infrastructure that makes Toronto more livable, sustainable, and accessible for all.