I'm no longer gobsmacked…

I'm no longer gobsmacked when the Doug Ford government makes an idiotic decision. These are the people, after all, who are gleefully destroying Ontario Place, spending one billion taxpayer dollars to accelerate access to beer in corner stores and bribing us with our own money ahead of an early election call.

But making it impossible for municipalities to install safe cycling infrastructure where it's needed most -- and proposing the destruction of existing networks -- goes way beyond stupid. It's dangerous and cruel.

These cars-over-everything proposals may seem to Ford like ballot-box winners, but they come at a very steep cost: the lives of vulnerable road users. Because Ford can rip out all the bike lanes he wants, but the bikes -- and scooters -- won't disappear. For thousands of Torontonians, they're the only way to get around in this increasingly unaffordable province. What's more, they're the lifeblood of entire sectors of the gig economy. Ever enjoyed UberEats after a long day at work or school? You should probably thank a cyclist.

It should come as no surprise that Ford continues to mindlessly prioritize the demands of vehicle drivers. His is the government that watches our once-vaunted healthcare and public education systems whither away to nothing while cutting the gas tax, doing away with vehicle registration payments and committing billions to building new highways -- highways that will be gridlocked within months of opening thanks to induced demand. He will always shamelessly pander to his base because he has no shame.

Never mind that data overwhelmingly show that bike lanes actually reduce congestion, boost safety for all road users -- including drivers -- improve streetscapes and increase retail spending, per the Bloor Annex BIA. Of course, Doug Ford isn't exactly known for making data-based decisions. Why bother acting on the evidence when stirring up anger against vulnerable road users is so good for poll numbers, right?

Doug Ford and Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria still have time to do the right thing here. Rescind this glaringly bad piece of proposed legislation and stop endangering the lives of those who just want to get around on two wheels instead of four.