Ref. ERO number019-9266 To…

Ref. ERO number019-9266

To Minister Sarkaria,

As a driver and a cyclist, I am opposed to Bill 212, "Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane", and therefore request that this bill be altered or withdrawn. Several reasons make Bill 212 unacceptable for Ontarians:

1. Bill 212 will reduce mobility and increase gridlock:
Bill 212 will force an already increased population of drivers and cyclists to share roads, rather than each moving within the appropriate infrastructure designated for each type of user and vehicle. In fact, Bill 212 will contribute more to gridlock because
A. people who already use bicycles as their vehicles, especially for commuting and for work, will most likely continue to do so; however, they will now be forced to ride on the road along with cars and other vehicles. This will inevitably create slower road conditions.
B. other people who will be forced to change from using their bicycles to using their cars (because they will not feel safe to ride on the road) will increase the number of cars on the road, again creating slower road conditions.

2. Bill 212 will reduce safety:
Given the above, where especially on major arteries, cyclists and drivers will need to share the road, Bill 212 will contribute to more dangerous conditions for cyclists. By forcing a larger number of cyclists and drivers on the same roads, Bill 212 will inevitably contribute to an increase in collisions and deaths. Protected bike lanes remain the safest ways for cyclists, especially cyclists who are not as experienced and who are less confident road riders.

3. Bill 212 will reduce Ontarians’ mental health and overall physical wellbeing:
Bill 212 will reduce Ontarians’ mental health and physical wellbeing whether they are cyclists or drivers or both. For cyclists, Bill 212 will create a barrier to perhaps the only activity that gives them a sense of freedom and joy, and physical exercise (when they commute to work, or school, or to their activities, or run errands). If the idea is to increase Ontarians' wellbeing by helping them have access to more physical activities which also greatly contributes to their mental wellbeing, then Bill 212 does the opposite. The bicycle as a vehicle is very inclusive and provides exercise and mobility for people of many ages and abilities from children to the elderly. For drivers, Bill 212 will create undue stress and reduce their mental health, as they navigate driving with a large number of cyclists of various abilities on the road. Further, re: 1 above, less bicycles = more cars = more polluted air we breathe.

4. Bill 212 will contribute to increased pollution and climate change:
See 1 above - more bicycles = less cars = less pollution and greenhouse gases. The opposite means more pollution and more greenhouse gases.

5. Bill 212 will waste taxpayers’ money:
Removing infrastructure which has been implemented based on actual data and with very positive results is simply wasteful, and makes citizens question the governments’ motives.

6. Bill 212 looks to the past, not to the future:
Many cities around the world have changed their infrastructure to accommodate cycling as part of their active transportation plans, and to reduce their gridlock.

I and thousands of fellow Ontarians use bike lanes more than ever, many on a daily basis. I cycle to and back from school with our 7 year old - a 3 km ride which we both enjoy immensely.

When I explained to our 7 year old that our provincial government has introduced legislation that will allow the government to remove bike lanes, and specifically bike lanes on Bloor Street, University Avenue and Yonge Street, he was shocked and asked “can they do that? Why?”. How do you explain to a child something the government is doing that simply does not make sense on so many levels as explained above? We teach our 7 year old how to be a good person, an informed citizen, how to care for others and for the environment, and we model those behaviours.

I ask you Minister, can you explain to our 7 year old why you are doing something so harmful to so many Ontarians? The cynic in me says this is a political move to satisfy your conservative base.

Cycling is a form of transportation used by thousands of Ontarians for many beneficial reasons - health, affordability, environmental reasons, convenience. Cycling enhances many people’s lives. By passing Bill 212, "Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane", you will effectively contribute to the harming of Ontarians and our environment.

Respectfully, alter or withdraw Bill 212.

Thank you.