Protect Toronto’s Existing…

Protect Toronto’s Existing Bike Lanes

Dear Province of Ontario,

I am writing to express my deep concern over the proposal to limit or remove existing bike lanes in Toronto. As an avid cyclist who lives in the east end and relies on these lanes to safely commute to my job in healthcare on Hospital Row, they are an essential part of my daily life and that of many others in the city.

Biking is not only efficient and environmentally friendly but also helps alleviate congestion. Each day, I share these lanes with countless other cyclists – a visible reminder of how vital they are in reducing gridlock. If we were all driving single-occupancy vehicles, it would only increase traffic and contribute to more emissions. I also own a car and do not feel that cyclists on Danforth, where there’s a shared lane, impede my driving time; rather, they enhance the flow by keeping cars off the road.

For healthcare workers like myself, biking provides affordable, reliable transportation, especially for late shifts when public transit is not available. Driving downtown is often not a feasible alternative given the high parking costs and limited spaces, making bike lanes crucial for safe, accessible commuting.

Additionally, eliminating bike lanes may not even achieve the intended results: on any given day, I encounter vehicles unloading goods that temporarily block bike lanes. Removing bike lanes would only push these vehicles into the main traffic lanes, adding further obstacles for drivers without real benefit.

Beyond practicality, biking is a joy and a way of connecting with our city. It’s a positive, community-oriented alternative that encourages active transportation and benefits local businesses by reducing parking demand and increasing foot traffic.

For all of these reasons, I urge you to reconsider the plan and protect the bike lanes that Toronto residents have come to rely on and enjoy. They are essential to a more livable, sustainable city.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

An avid Toronto cyclist/Healthcare worker