Decades of evidence show…

Decades of evidence show that the best way to reduce car gridlock is to provide safe, viable alternatives to driving cars. Because of the Bloor-Danforth bike lane, my family (husband, wife, and two kids) recently moved to a nearby home. We bought a Dutch cargo bike (bakfiets) which we use to drop off our kids each morning at school and kindergarten- something we would not do without the protected bike lane. My wife and I both use the bike lane to get to work, which for both of us is along the same corridor. Because of this, we rarely used our car, and decided to sell it, saving us hundreds of dollars a month (now using a carshare service when needed). Please do not upend our lives, and the lives of our likeminded neighbours, by removing options for letting us safely get around the city with our family. If you’re worried about emergency vehicles, bike lanes should be widened (and vehicle sizes upgraded to international standards) so that bike lanes are comfortable and wide enough for children, adults, and the elderly to use them together, and for emergency vehicles to use them as well, as needed. More, better bike lanes is a win-win for all Torontonians, including car drivers, making the city a healthier and safer place to live. It is also essential for helping Ontario’s cities meet our net zero climate commitments.