In the same way the federal…

In the same way the federal government shouldn't interfere with provincial affairs, the provincial govt shouldn't interfere in municipal affairs.

That said, bike lanes reduce congestion, and the best place to place them are on already busy thoroughfares. A bike lane can accommodate hundreds of bikes and other types of active transport over the same period of time that only a few cars might pass on the same street.

Protected bike lanes on streets make streets safer for all users, not just cyclists. Numerous studies prove that motorists slow down and are more cautious on streets with bike lanes.

Cycling not only cuts congestion and pollution, but leads to a more active society, in turn cutting healthcare costs over the long term. Moreover, bikes and other forms of active transit result in less wear and tear on city streets. More cycling is less damaging to infrastructure than more cars.

Ontario doesn't need to look too far to see just how beneficial cycling can be. Look at Montreal, which has been aggressively developing their cycling infrastructure. Winter cycling, bike highways, a comprehensive, city-wide bike sharing network, 1,000 kms of bike lanes. The result is vibrant, viable urban neighbourhoods and an unparalleled quality of life. Where Toronto struggles to bring life back to the city, it has fully returned in Montreal.

Best of all, cyclists and pedestrians spend more than motorists and patronize small businesses more often. See the city of London's study on the business stimulus effects of cycling.

All across North America, politicians have added more car lanes, more parking, and the end result is greater car dependency, and cities that have lost their supporting tax base. Montreal has gone in the opposite direction and has maintained its position as one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in for many years. Cycling and active transport is a key component of this desirability. Giving people more alternatives to using their cars means fewer people using their cars, in turn lowering congestion, emissions, pollution, and freeing up more parking spaces.