I believe that the question…

I believe that the question of bike lanes is a rather simple one provided the community approaches the issue with the right attitude. Unfortunately, we seem to live in a world where the sense of community has been lost.Self-interest seems to prevail over any sense of comity. “Comity” is a great word, meaning care for each other-the sense of mutual concern for common benefit. The issue also requires citizens to take the time to understand the details and data before taking a stand.

It is very easy to say “I drive to work and these lanes are a nuisance, further stalling already congested traffic”. But not everyone has the means to afford a car. But more than that, studies have shown that before bike lanes were introduced traffic moved very marginally faster. Furthermore, the more people are encouraged to ride a bike the less traffic will be on the road.

Removing bike lanes will not remove bikes from the roads. What it will do is make riding bikes more dangerous, for bikers and drivers. To what end? The vast majority of those living on the City take some form of public transit. Those and the growing numbers of bike riders make up the vast majority of commuters in the City. Why should we cater to the wealthy car owners who have disproportionate political power because of their wealth. Anyone who denies this is not being honest.

Finally, this ought to be a City not Provincial decision. Commuters who pass through the City once a day do not add anything to the daily life of the City, rarely being part of neighbourhood life here. The many small businesses who are the backbone not only of the economy of the City but its character rely on the bikers who shop, eat and enjoy the City life. Not those commuting from Markham.

Finally in this time of global climate crisis we should be encouraging as much bike riding as possible. Not turning back the clock to rip out bike lanes that has helped the growth of commuting without cars. This is not the time to think about the immediate perceived interests of a few car owners. Rather we should be encouraging more bike riding in all our interests. That is what commits and good sense dictates.