I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed measures in Bill 60 that would strip municipalities of their authority to plan and implement bike lanes and other road safety projects.

This bill undermines local decision-making and takes away the ability of cities to respond to evidence, expert advice, and community input. Local governments are best positioned to understand their residents’ transportation needs and to balance priorities for all road users.

Contrary to what this bill implies, bike lanes do not cause gridlock. The government’s own transportation experts have repeatedly shown that congestion is driven primarily by high car volumes, not by space dedicated to safer, more efficient travel options. Removing or restricting bike infrastructure will not reduce traffic—it will worsen it by discouraging active transportation and forcing more people into cars.

This bill would also make our roads more dangerous. Protected bike lanes have been proven to reduce collisions and prevent serious injuries and deaths among people biking, walking, and driving. Weakening local governments’ ability to build this life-saving infrastructure puts everyone at greater risk.

Moreover, Bill 60 threatens other vital uses of road space that communities rely on, including transit priority lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, school streets, patios, and curbside access. These features make our cities more vibrant, accessible, and resilient.

By prioritizing cars over all other modes of transportation, this legislation undermines Ontario’s climate goals and public health objectives. It locks our cities into outdated, car-dependent street designs at a time when we urgently need to reduce emissions and support more sustainable mobility options.

On a personal note, I am a cyclist living in North York, and I rely on bike paths and bike lanes to get around Toronto. However, many of these routes are disconnected, especially in my neighbourhood, making it difficult and unsafe to travel by bike. I want to be able to navigate my city safely using only bike lanes and paths. When I visited Montreal this summer, I was amazed by how easy and safe it was to bike anywhere in the city through a connected network of protected lanes. Toronto—and other Ontario cities—should be moving *toward* that standard, not away from it.

Please reconsider this legislation. Municipalities must retain the authority to design safe, connected, and sustainable transportation networks that reflect the needs of their residents.