I am frustrated by the…

I am frustrated by the Province of Ontario making regulations that don't allow citizens of Ontario to democratically determine how public space is to be used. I can appreciate that people riding bikes are an easy target; however, I happen to be one of them. I'm a father, a husband, a municipal employee, a hockey coach, a church volunteer, and many more. I say that to highlight that my choice to primarily move around by bicycle does not define me. I also drive, walk, and take transit. I primarily bike because I save money by not having to pay for parking at work, and because with a busy family life, I get my exercise baked into my day.

Of course, this legislation is not demanding I stop cycling. But it is saying that my City can no longer choose to add a bike lane where we may have excess road space. You're not allowing the City Councillors we vote for, who understand our city better than the province make that determination.

Decision-making is best when it happens at the most local scale possible, because context matters. Education, health care, and many more make sense at the provincial scale. Whether a specific city road can accommodate a bike lane should be left up to the municipality.

Please reconsider this legislation. If you're concerned about bicycle lanes going in unnecessarily, require a certain level of public consultation so that residents can voice their support or their opposition. But keep this for cities to figure out, rather than the province.

Thanks for considering this comment.