I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my deep concern and heartfelt opposition to the amended Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024. As an avid cyclist who relies on the bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue every day, I am outraged by the proposal to rip out this crucial infrastructure and turn our city backward.

These bike lanes are lifelines for thousands of us. They provide safety, freedom, and a healthier alternative to gridlock and pollution. Removing them would put lives at risk, push more people back into cars, and make our streets less safe for everyone. The idea that bike lanes are causing gridlock is simply misguided and ignores the mountain of evidence to the contrary.

Global cities have shown that investing in cycling infrastructure reduces congestion and pollution. In New York City, travel times for motorists decreased by 35% after bike lanes were installed. Paris, once choked with traffic, has embraced cycling and seen car use drop dramatically. We are not different or special in Ontario—what works there can and does work here. Dismantling these lanes would be a catastrophic regression.

Bike lanes make our streets safer. They slow traffic, protect vulnerable road users, and save lives. Are we willing to trade these benefits for a misguided “solution” that prioritizes cars over people? Every second that traffic is slowed pales in comparison to the value of a life saved or the safety of a cyclist who can commute without fear.

What’s more, the plan to remove bike lanes without environmental assessments is appalling. As our planet grapples with the climate crisis, we should be moving boldly toward sustainability, not undermining the progress we’ve made. Every cyclist represents one fewer car on the road, one fewer source of pollution, and one step closer to a healthier future.

We cannot afford to gamble with our safety, our environment, or our quality of life. I urge the Ontario government to listen to the people who live, work, and ride in our cities. Keep our bike lanes, expand them, and support a vision of Ontario where everyone—cyclist or driver—can share the road safely and responsibly.

Please, don’t take us backward. Keep the bike lanes, and let’s build a city that works for everyone.