I am a mother and lawyer. I…

I am a mother and lawyer. I live on the east end of Toronto. I have two aged parents who live on the west end whom I visit regularly throughout the week. I do not have a car and do not drive. This is mainly for environmental reasons, but also because I sit at my desk all day and cycling is about the only exercise I get. Cycling is also very calming and gives me a much needed feeling of freedom. My mother, who used to be a university professor, has advanced Alzheimers and barely functions now. This weighs on me heavily, and I find the bike ride home a very useful "re-set" before I get home. Crossing the Danforth bridge, in particular, really gives me a feeling of awe and gratitude for the beauty of the world around me, and living in Toronto in particular.

I am grateful for the bike lanes on Bloor-Danforth, which I use most days of the week. I feel safe using them. The Bloor-Danforth route is the one most convenient for me because of the location of my home, but I very much hope that new bike lanes will be built all over Ontario municipalities, so that all Ontarians will reap the same benefits of cycling that I have.

I am writing today to voice my concerns about Bill 60 which would prohibit any municipality in Ontario from reducing motor vehicle lanes to build new bike lanes. This would not be good for our environment, nor for Ontarians physical or mental health.