The proposed legislation…

The proposed legislation requiring municipalities to obtain provincial approval to implement new bike lanes that would remove existing car lanes is based on flawed assumptions about how to address traffic congestion. The approach fails to acknowledge evidence from urban planning and transportation studies, which show that more roads and highways do not resolve congestion. Furthermore, it overlooks research demonstrating that bike lanes do not increase congestion but rather provide substantial benefits for local economies, public health, and community connectivity.

Counterpoints to Proposed Legislative Objectives

1. Increasing Highways and Roads Does Not Reduce Congestion

The notion that new highways or expanded roadways reduce traffic congestion has been consistently debunked. The phenomenon of “induced demand” shows that increasing roadway capacity only encourages more driving, thereby returning congestion to prior levels or even worsening it over time. Research in Texas, California, and New York has shown that adding highway lanes or constructing new highways initially reduces congestion but leads to increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the long term. Specifically, studies from the University of California, Davis, and Texas A&M Transportation Institute show that adding new lanes leads to a nearly proportional increase in traffic within five years  .

Instead, municipalities worldwide have achieved congestion reduction by investing in multimodal transportation solutions, including cycling infrastructure. For instance, Paris and Amsterdam have reduced road congestion by emphasizing active transport and decreasing car dependency through extensive networks of protected bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure. In these cases, cycling infrastructure has led to substantial decreases in traffic volume and an overall reduction in congestion.

2. Bike Lanes Alleviate, Not Contribute to, Congestion

Bike lanes can actually alleviate traffic congestion by offering residents a safe and efficient alternative to driving, particularly for shorter trips, which constitute a significant proportion of urban traffic. Cycling infrastructure allows for more people to be transported within the same space, moving more people while using fewer resources than car-centric transportation. In Toronto, the Bloor Street bike lanes have improved transportation efficiency and safety without increasing congestion. Data from the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation show that businesses in the area experienced economic growth after bike lanes were installed .

Furthermore, studies from New York and Minneapolis show that bike lanes can reduce pressure on existing roadways. New York’s protected bike lanes on major routes like 8th Avenue have led to a reduction in car traffic volumes by facilitating quicker, safer travel for cyclists, in turn reducing vehicle-to-vehicle interactions and incidents, which are major contributors to congestion .

Importance of Multimodal Infrastructure Over Car Dependency

Expanding multimodal infrastructure—such as bike lanes, public transit, and pedestrian spaces—reduces dependence on cars, which is crucial in addressing congestion in growing urban environments. Cities that prioritize multimodal transport options see lower rates of gridlock. For instance, Copenhagen and Barcelona have reduced car traffic and congestion by investing in integrated cycling infrastructure and transit systems. These initiatives have made transportation more efficient and accessible for all residents while cutting down on emissions and improving air quality .

Economic, Health, and Environmental Benefits of Cycling Infrastructure

In addition to alleviating congestion, cycling infrastructure provides significant economic, health, and environmental benefits. Studies from Portland State University show that retail sales along streets with bike lanes often outperform those without them, as bike lanes increase foot and bike traffic that benefits local businesses. This is evident not only in international cities but also in Canadian settings, such as along Bloor Street in Toronto, where businesses have reported increased or stable customer visits and sales following bike lane installation .

Cycling infrastructure also promotes public health by encouraging active transportation, reducing car-related air pollution, and improving mental well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), active transport options, including bike lanes, are essential to addressing public health crises related to air pollution and sedentary lifestyles.

Stop planning around cars and plan around people

The proposed legislation restricting municipalities from implementing new bike lanes contradicts evidence-based transportation and urban planning strategies that demonstrate the value of cycling infrastructure in reducing congestion and enhancing community livability. Instead of mandating approvals for bike lanes, the province would benefit from supporting municipalities in creating multimodal infrastructure that provides residents with safer, more efficient, and healthier transportation options. A comprehensive approach that includes bike lanes, pedestrian areas, and public transit investments will foster a resilient, economically vibrant Ontario equipped to meet the demands of a growing population.