Hello! We support bike lanes…

Hello!

We support bike lanes.

We know from evidence that bike lanes help to:

- reduce gridlock
- reduce greenhouse gases
- get people moving faster

Bike lanes are not just a matter of convenience; they are vital for many residents who rely on affordable transportation options. Delivery drivers, including those in food and courier services, as well as individuals who simply cannot afford vehicles due to the high cost of living, depend on both public transportation and bike lanes to move around the city. The rising cost of living has made car ownership unattainable for many, further highlighting the need for equitable, accessible alternatives like cycling infrastructure.

We must also recognize that traffic congestion is self-perpetuating. More cars on the road lead to more traffic. It’s a cycle that anyone who takes a moment to reflect on the situation would easily understand. Expanding bike lanes offers an opportunity to break this cycle by encouraging more people to use alternative modes of transport, thereby reducing overall congestion and improving the flow of traffic for everyone.

Bike lanes do not cause gridlock, cars cause gridlock. Without bike lanes, not only are bicycles forced to forfeit their safety by sharing active traffic lanes with cars, the result is that entire lane must now match the (likely lower) speed of the bicycle.

Investing in safe, accessible bike infrastructure is essential for the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, as well as for addressing the city’s pressing environmental and transportation challenges. These actions are not only distractions from the real needs of our city but also betray a lack of vision and leadership when it comes to addressing urban challenges. Bike lanes are a practical, immediate step that can provide tangible benefits for Ontario residents, but we need all levels of government working together, in good faith, to make them a reality.

We need a government that supports making decisions that are based in evidence.

L1V0E9