Since moving back to Toronto…

Since moving back to Toronto from Hamilton in 2005, I have happily seen bicycle infrastructure grow from almost nothing, to the healthy and growing, network we now enjoy. As a cyclist who uses their bicycle to go to work, to do all my shopping and to attend events throughout the city, I would simply not be able to undertake all my day-to-day life without this infrastructure. It means I can get from home to destination in a relatively safe way, not having to compete with vehicles that are much larger and more dangerous than my own. I have seen a huge growth in numbers of others who navigate the city in the same way, and who use city bike rental services. The growth in numbers of cyclists has increased in direct proportion to the growth in infrastructure. I don't need to go over here a rebuttal of some of the arguments against bike lanes: emergency vehicle officials have repeatedly stated that they are not impacted negatively by bike lanes; businesses do not suffer, indeed, often see increased business. Hardly any mention is made of the effect of unregulated construction and parking lanes on traffic congestion. Or, the tardy delivery of important transit like the Eglinton line. This proposal is a slap in the face for citizens of Ontario who want to navigate their cities and towns via bicycle. It is an unmerited punishment for individuals who actually want to have a positive effect on congestion and the environment. Bikes take up much less space on roads; do not pollute; have health benefits for cyclists themselves (less drain on public health)...This proposal smacks of political opportunism and rank vote-buying. It is prejudicial in the truest sense and should not be voted in.