Hello, I am writing to…

Hello,

I am writing to comment on the proposed Bill 212. The province has not presented any evidence that supports this bill. To the contrary, it has been widely shown that increasing the number of lanes actually makes traffic and congestion worse: https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7358319. Removing bike lanes will also force bikes to occupy the main driving lanes, which will further increase congestion.

Furthermore, bike lanes are beneficial to the environment by promoting non-motor-vehicle transportation, and the lanes in Toronto have resulted in thousands of people every day using bikes instead of cars. It should be obvious that more trips by bike and fewer trips by car is beneficial for the environment. Cars also wear down roads hundreds of times faster than bikes because of how heavy they are. More wear means the roads need to be repaired more frequently, which is bad for the environment.

Further still, bike lanes are important for both cyclist and pedestrian safety. Anyone who thinks that saving people 2 minutes on their commute in exchange for the lives of Canadians should not have any political power.

Even further still, this bill is a gross overstep of provincial power into municipal responsibilities. Ontario has many issues that need urgent funding such as housing and healthcare, and projects that need pressure to finish such as the Eglinton LRT. Spending money reviewing and ripping up bike lanes is completely fiscally irresponsible. The premier and Conservative party need to do their jobs, not roleplay as mayor of Toronto.

Stop pandering to people who cheer when cyclists are killed by cars. If this bill goes through, then I hope everyone involved understands that blood is on their hands the next time a cyclist or pedestrian is killed on Bloor/Yonge/University. I don't know how you could sleep at night.