1. Undermines Municipal…

1. Undermines Municipal Autonomy
The proposal to mandate provincial approval for changes to local bike lane infrastructure encroaches on the authority and decision-making power of municipalities. Local governments are in a better position to understand the transportation needs, traffic patterns, and unique characteristics of their communities. By centralizing this authority at the provincial level, the policy risks creating delays, bureaucracy, and inefficiencies, as the province may not have the granular, localized knowledge needed to make informed decisions. This top-down approach could erode trust between provincial and local governments.

2. Contradicts Environmental and Climate Goals
In light of the growing climate crisis, prioritizing vehicular traffic over cycling infrastructure is counterproductive to both provincial and global environmental goals. Encouraging cycling, rather than expanding highway infrastructure, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and overall dependence on fossil fuels. Bike lanes offer a sustainable, low-carbon mode of transport, and cities worldwide are investing in them as part of efforts to combat climate change. Ontario should be encouraging, not restricting, the development of bike lanes, which also improve local air quality and the overall health of residents.

3. Bike Lanes Can Reduce Congestion, Not Increase It
Contrary to the assumption that removing vehicle lanes for bike lanes worsens congestion, research shows that well-designed bike lanes can reduce overall traffic congestion by encouraging more people to cycle, thereby removing cars from the road. Cities that have invested in cycling infrastructure, such as Copenhagen or Amsterdam, have shown that it can reduce car dependency and improve the flow of traffic. Additionally, bike lanes take up far less space than car lanes, meaning they offer a more efficient use of public roads, particularly in urban areas where space is limited.

4. Misses the Shift Towards Sustainable Urban Development
There is a growing global trend towards prioritizing public transportation, cycling, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure in cities to create more livable, human-centered spaces. Car-centric urban planning is increasingly seen as outdated and unsustainable, with negative effects on public health, safety, and the environment. By prioritizing highways and vehicle lanes, this proposal aligns Ontario with an old model of urban planning rather than fostering a modern, sustainable transportation network. Prioritizing cycling infrastructure is essential to keeping Ontario’s cities competitive and attractive for future generations.

5. Restricts Active Transportation and Public Health Benefits
Cycling is a form of active transportation that improves public health by promoting physical activity. The construction of more bike lanes can encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. By potentially stifling the expansion of bike lanes, the province would be undermining public health efforts aimed at encouraging physical activity and combating issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Bike lanes also improve safety for cyclists, and by limiting their creation, the province risks making roads more dangerous for those who do choose to cycle.

6. Delays Could Stall Important Infrastructure Projects
Requiring provincial approval for new bike lanes could lead to significant delays in the implementation of critical cycling infrastructure projects. Bureaucratic approval processes could slow down the rollout of bike lanes, even in areas where they are urgently needed. These delays could have a negative impact on both public safety and efforts to promote alternative modes of transport. Municipalities may hesitate to propose new bike lanes if they know that navigating the provincial approval process will be slow, uncertain, or overly complex.

7. Ignores the Benefits of Reduced Car Dependency
Encouraging alternative modes of transportation like cycling can reduce the dependency on cars, leading to numerous benefits including reduced traffic accidents, less wear-and-tear on roads, and lower infrastructure maintenance costs. It also makes transportation more accessible for people who cannot afford cars. The proposal to prioritize vehicular lanes over bike lanes overlooks the growing demand for equitable, accessible transportation options, especially as urbanization increases in Ontario's cities.

Conclusion
Rather than implementing a framework that slows down the creation of bike lanes, the Ontario government should focus on promoting sustainable transportation and improving local autonomy over transportation decisions. Prioritizing highway expansion and limiting bike lane infrastructure is an outdated approach that fails to recognize the pressing environmental, public health, and urban development challenges of today.