As with the provincial…

As with the provincial government's previous attempt to meddle in the affairs of Ontario cities, their own studies on the effects of removing or limiting bike lanes and other strategies to offer alternatives to cars are being ignored. That government-sponsored study showed that removing bike lanes would have little to no effect on traffic congestion and that increasing vehicle access by adding car lanes simply results in even more vehicles on the road (induced demand). So, why is the government persisting with this strategy? It has become more and more clear, this is an attempt to garner favour with constituents who most likely have little to no experience of getting around the downtowns of our larger cities...who must rely on cars as there is no other alternative where they live. I am a cyclist, and a car owner. Cycling is simply the most efficient, easy and healthy way for me to get from A to B and this includes work, shopping and recreation. I know for a fact that the improvements to cycling infrastructure in recent years have not only eased my day to day commuting, but probably saved me many times from injury or worse. It's abundantly clear that as infrastructure improves, more people feel enabled to cycle. The use of bike share programs is skyrocketing. And to state the obvious, the more people on bikes, the less cars which makes things better for those who choose, or must drive a vehicle. For better or worse, people in cities rely heavily on food delivery services. Good infrastructure helps keep those vulnerable workers safe. Fewer bike lanes just throws all of that delivery traffic into vehicle lanes thereby increasing congestion. How is any of this progressive? Large cities around the world are embracing cycling infrastructure. Legislation like this only highlights Ontario's backwardness in this regard. This is about the safety and health of people who pay the same taxes, own property, shop, and live in the same province as do vehicle owners. Please reconsider this legislation for everyone's well-being.