I’m a young retiree so…

I’m a young retiree so fortunately able to avoid rush hour most days. Getting around Toronto has become increasingly challenging and frustrating (construction, volume of cars) as has travelling our highways to get in and out of the city.

I am a car driver/passenger, pedestrian, I take the Go Train and subway where it makes sense and I’m an occasional cyclist. I heartily endorse the goal of reducing gridlock - but I think this legislation goes about it entirely wrong, and I can not support it.

We are all commuters trying to get somewhere - whether by car, by foot, transit, e-bike, scooter, etc. It is completely unfair to prioritize those in vehicles by reducing the safety and convenience of other methods of commuting.

In recent years, I have noticed a large increase in different types of commuters, often by people who can not afford to buy their own vehicles - students on scooters, delivery people on e-bikes. Their ability to use bike lanes makes them safer and is easier for drivers to navigate.

Finally, I believe municipalities are best placed to decide where bike lanes make sense. I have not always agreed with their decisions on where to place them - but I would rather debate these issues with my local councillor and mayor then have the province override local decision making.

I really hope the province will reconsider this legislation.