Bike lanes have been an…

Bike lanes have been an important part for all my life and I value them dearly here in Toronto. I've lived in cities around the world where bikes are simply a part of transportation and daily life, not a political debate. Coming from Vancouver, I was dismayed at the comparative state of the bike infrastructure when I first moved to Toronto in 2019, but since then I have been so incredibly impressed by and grateful for the city's efforts to build new lanes.

After a knee surgery last year that left me housebound for over a month, biking was one of the first activities I was cleared to do. I still remember how freeing it felt to hop on my bike for a ride down the Harbord and Bloor bike lanes with my new knee. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief, especially at protected segments where I truly felt anxiety-free about my safety.

There are a plethora of evidence that proves bike lanes do not increase traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse emissions, and improves local economy. Anecdotally, these are all true to my personal experience as both a cyclist and car owner. I've visited shops I would've only driven past otherwise, and shaven hours off my daily commute by taking my bike rather than car. I've unfortunately observed the grid lock here in Toronto are happening in all arteries and roads, regardless of the # of car lanes available. Taking away the narrow bike lanes would not meaningfully improve car traffic, but it would absolutely ruin so many cyclist's daily life - not to mention their personal safety.

Ending on a somber note, my high school band teacher, also an avid cyclist, had his life sadly taken away by a negligent driver while cycling. He was the kind of guy who left such a big impact on everyone in his life that I'm still shaken by the news even years after being his student. Deaths are so common in our world that we forget how devastating it can be, so I've attached his obituary here to hopefully remind us of the preciousness of life. Bike infrastructure absolutely can and will protect so many people, cyclists and drivers alike, from tragedies like this.