Bill 212, particularly its…

Bill 212, particularly its assault on bike lanes, represents a disgraceful step backward for Ontario. By giving the provincial government the power to review and remove municipal bike lanes, this bill undermines local decision-making and threatens the safety and sustainability of our cities.

Bike lanes on major streets like Bloor, Yonge, and University are not mere conveniences; they are essential infrastructure that supports active transportation, reduces traffic congestion, and lowers emissions. Removing them to cater to car traffic is not only regressive but outright dangerous, forcing cyclists to share roads with vehicles and putting lives at risk.

The $48 million estimated cost of removing these lanes is a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. Instead of investing in safer streets and more sustainable transportation options, this bill proposes to destroy infrastructure that works and is widely used. It prioritizes car dependency over people-friendly urban design, sending a clear message that this government values vehicles over vibrant, healthy communities.

This isn’t about reducing gridlock—it’s about rolling back progress. Cities around the world are expanding bike networks because they know the future of transportation is multimodal, not car-dominated. Ontario should be leading this charge, not tearing it down.

Bill 212 is a direct attack on the progress Toronto and other municipalities have made to create safer, greener streets. The provincial government must respect local autonomy and recognize that bike lanes are a vital part of modern cities, not obstacles to be removed. We cannot afford this kind of backward thinking. Ontario deserves better.