I see several issues with…

I see several issues with this bill. First, studies have shown that providing more lanes for cars actually increases congestion, because it leads to more people driving. Therefore, removing car traffic lanes will not increase congestion, but the opposite: it will encourage more people to find alternative modes of transportation, thus decreasing congestion for those who still choose to drive. Second, adding bike lanes is an excellent way to reduce traffic congestion. With more bike lanes, more people ride a bike instead of drive a car, which reduces congestion for the remaining cars. Also, bikes are much smaller than cars, so many more can fit in the space that would be occupied by a car, meaning more people can use the same road space. Third, roads with bike lanes are much safer than roads without. Cyclists are very vulnerable to injuries and even death if they are hit by a car. I am dismayed that we are not taking this issue more seriously. Fourth, we are in a time of clear climate crisis, and we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon emissions. Compared to other more drastic solutions, adding bike lanes and reducing car lanes is a relatively easy and painless way to reduce our collective carbon emissions, since it will mean that more people cycle and fewer drive. Fifth, this bill ignores the current trend towards increased cycling, especially as e-bikes become more available. We need more bike lanes to account for this trend, not less. Sixth, this bill is a clear example of provincial overreach into municipal affairs. Municipalities are better equipped to decide where to put bike lanes. Lastly, and I say this in jest, have you not heard of the expression "stay in your lane?" Ironically, it applies to this bill.