As a user of cars, public…

As a user of cars, public transit and bike infrastructure across the province, I’m not sure how this Act is meant to save us time.

First, it’s introducing a large amount of red tape for municipalities to manage their own streets by having to go through the provincial government which sounds like wasting more time on that front. The province should only be concerned with routes that go between municipalities within the province and not make it more difficult for municipalities to implement strategies for their own transportation solutions to problems they know best.

Secondly, the focus on bike lanes specifically seems like an absurdly specific thing for the government to be focusing on, especially when considering that bikes aren’t the primary mode of transportation used between municipalities. For an Act that’s supposed to save commuters time, I see barely any mention of expediting public transit projects or any mention of encouraging the reduction of number of cars on the road - time is saved when there is less volume. Not to mention, reducing our dependency on cars severely reduces the negative impact on the environment and improves the public’s mental wellbeing.

Investing instead in high-speed commuter rail to alleviate the congestion on the 401 for example would accomplish much more traffic reduction than removing any bike lane to add one lane for vehicles and is a very real option that the provincial government should be considering as a priority. There are so many people forced into cars on the 401 because it is currently the only option for a direct route despite the stress, danger and pollution in entails and giving the public a much safer, cleaner and relaxing option just makes sense. (By the way, as a fellow Bramptonian speaking from experience, I would very much recommend Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria try to instead take the Metrolinx train and TTC to get to Queen’s Park for work as it is much more enjoyable and safe than taking the Gardiner).

Specifically in Toronto, the recent provincial government announcement to remove existing bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University is an EXTREME waste of taxpayer money on both the provincial and municipal level with these having been implemented within less than 5 years ago - undoing work that has just been done is a waste of taxpayer money that could be used in a crucially underfunded classroom or hospital.

All in all, I am requesting that the provincial government step out of municipal affairs by either dropping this Act or amending it to focus on duties the province should actually be responsible for, namely, working with municipalities by providing funding for public transit projects so that we can reduce congestion and our carbon footprint.