Provincial approval of bike…

Provincial approval of bike lanes that remove a lane of traffic is overreach into municipal affairs and a poor use of time and resources from my provincial government. Municipal governments are better equipped to understand the needs of their citizens and streets; this decision should be theirs alone to make - like all other municipal road decisions.

I consistently use the bike lanes on major thoroughfares in Toronto. They are my primary way of getting around. I have felt safer getting around the city with these bike lanes installed and have spoken to many others who feel the same. City streets are a method for everyone to get around and cycling should be encouraged and protected. Streets are for more than just cars. Removing protected, separated cycling lanes will result in the death of more cyclists - deaths attributable directly to this decision.

Making it easier to drive through this city by adding traffic lanes result in induced demand and make traffic issues worse in the future. As more arterial roads and highways are expanded. More cars will be funnelled into cities like Toronto, further exacerbating gridlock, parking issues and commute times after an innitial decrease.

Active transportation, commuting and public transit should be prioritized and celebrated for reducing congestion, emissions, and opportunities for road fatalities. This piece of legislation runs contrary to these public goods and is the wrong move.