As a Toronto resident and…

As a Toronto resident and daily cyclist, I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 60. This legislation would strip cities of the ability to make evidence-based decisions about our own streets, undermining safety, sustainability, and local democracy.

Bill 60 removes municipal authority and local decision-making, even when projects are developed through extensive consultation and supported by local residents and data. Toronto’s transportation staff and city council have repeatedly demonstrated leadership in creating safer, more efficient streets through initiatives like ActiveTO, the Bloor Street bike lanes, and the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan. Provincial interference in these decisions disregards the expertise and accountability of local governments.

The government’s own transportation experts have consistently found that bike lanes do not cause gridlock. In fact, cities that invest in cycling infrastructure see improved traffic flow, fewer collisions, and reduced demand for costly road expansions. By contrast, Bill 60 will only worsen congestion by locking us into outdated, car-dominated street designs.

As someone who rides regularly, I know firsthand that protected bike lanes save lives. They make streets safer not only for cyclists, but also for pedestrians, drivers, and families. Weakening municipal authority over road design will inevitably make our roads more dangerous and increase the number of preventable injuries and deaths.

Bill 60 also threatens essential community uses of road space — from transit priority lanes that improve TTC reliability, to safe crossings, patios that support small businesses, and school streets that protect children.

Finally, the bill undermines Ontario’s climate and public health goals by discouraging active transportation and locking cities into higher-emission, car-dependent infrastructure. At a time when Toronto is striving to meet its TransformTO climate targets, Bill 60 represents a major step backward.

I urge the government to withdraw or significantly amend Bill 60 and instead work in partnership with municipalities to build streets that are safer, healthier, and more efficient for everyone who uses them — not just drivers.