I believe the changes…

I believe the changes proposed in "PART XII MUNICIPAL BY-LAWS AND BICYCLE LANES" is an overreach of provincial jurisdiction and creates additional red tape which the current government has repeatedly campaigned on reducing.

Premier Ford has stated numerous times that his governments directive is to "cut red tape" and "get things built faster". Requiring approval for every bike lane built in the province is a colossal waste of time and resources that can be accomplished at the municipal level. I do not feel in any way that the provincial government is better suited to address the needs of individual municipalities. The Ministry should be addressing provincial issues such as constructing highways and rail, rather than sticking their noses in municipal matters and creating repeat work.

In addition, bike lanes save lives and improve mobility for underprivileged people who do not own cars. I personally utilize bike lanes across Bloor to travel to and from work and shopping and have directly felt safer behind a protective barrier. In comparison I do not bike on Dundas at all due to the lack of bike lanes and increased risk to my health. I have also worked downtown and have not seen increased traffic as a result of bike lanes - traffic is worse due to delayed construction on streetcar tracks, water main upgrades, and Ontario Line construction. I feel placing the blame on bike lanes on University, where there are still two to three full lanes each direction for cars, is disingenuous.