The recent Ontario Bill 212,…

The recent Ontario Bill 212, requiring cities to seek provincial permission to build or maintain bike lanes at the cost of car lanes, introduces unnecessary red tape, contrary to Ontario’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic barriers. This oversight infringes on local governments’ autonomy to implement essential safety measures and undermines the urgent need for safer, more sustainable urban mobility.

Bike lanes are a critical safety feature, especially on high-traffic streets like Bloor, Yonge, and University, where cyclists are at significant risk. According to Teschke et al. (2012), segregated bike lanes reduce cycling injuries by 90% compared to streets without cycling infrastructure, underscoring the necessity of these lanes in Toronto’s most congested corridors. The presence of bike lanes also legitimizes cycling as a form of transit, catering to vulnerable road users whose safety must be prioritized over mere convenience (Aldred, 2018).

Furthermore, the notion that removing bike lanes will improve car traffic flow is a misconception. Research shows that more lanes don’t alleviate traffic congestion; instead, they encourage additional car use, a phenomenon known as induced demand (Duranton & Turner, 2011). This misguided focus on road expansion not only worsens congestion over time but also undermines efforts toward greener, more efficient transport systems. Allowing cities to prioritize cycling infrastructure—even at the cost of car lanes—is a meaningful step toward a safer, more accessible, and environmentally responsible future.

References:

• Teschke, K., Harris, M. A., Reynolds, C. C., Winters, M., Babul, S., Chipman, M., … & Monro, M. (2012). Route Infrastructure and the Risk of Injuries to Bicyclists: A Case-Crossover Study. American Journal of Public Health, 102(12), 2336–2343.
• Aldred, R. (2018). Inequalities in self-report road injury risk in Britain: A new analysis of National Travel Survey data, focusing on pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Journal of Transport & Health, 9, 96–104.
• Duranton, G., & Turner, M. A. (2011). The Fundamental Law of Road Congestion: Evidence from US Cities. American Economic Review, 101(6), 2616–2652.