I strongly oppose Bill 60…

I strongly oppose Bill 60. This legislation strips municipalities of their ability to make local decisions about their own streets, even when those decisions are supported by data and community input. Local governments are best positioned to understand the needs of their residents and to plan accordingly — taking that authority away undermines democracy and good planning.

Bill 60 will make traffic congestion worse, not better. The government’s own transportation experts have repeatedly confirmed that bike lanes are not a cause of gridlock. In fact, well-designed cycling infrastructure helps reduce car dependency, easing pressure on road networks over time.

This bill will also make our roads more dangerous. Protected bike lanes save lives — for people biking, walking, and driving alike. Removing or preventing these safety measures puts Ontarians at unnecessary risk.

Furthermore, Bill 60 threatens the many other uses of road space that communities rely on: reliable transit service, safe pedestrian crossings, small business patios, curbside loading, and safer school zones. These are all vital to vibrant, accessible, and livable cities.

Finally, this bill undermines Ontario’s climate and public health goals by locking cities into outdated, car-dependent street designs. At a time when we should be encouraging cleaner, more active, and more sustainable modes of travel, Bill 60 pushes us in the opposite direction.

I urge the government to withdraw this bill and work with municipalities, not against them, to build safer, healthier, and more efficient streets for all Ontarians.