I'm staunchly opposed to…

I'm staunchly opposed to removing any bike lanes in Toronto. Please see my comments below:

Building a World-Class City
Toronto aspires to join the ranks of global cities like New York and Paris, but our resistance to essential infrastructure like bike lanes holds us back. These cities have embraced cycling infrastructure as part of their transformation into complete communities where people can live, work, and play without relying on cars.

Traffic Reduction
Contrary to popular belief, bike lanes actually help reduce traffic congestion. By giving people safe alternatives to driving for short trips, we remove cars from the road. This benefits drivers by reducing overall congestion, particularly during rush hour.

Safety First
Bike lanes save lives - period. Protected cycling infrastructure significantly reduces collisions between cyclists and vehicles, making streets safer for everyone, including pedestrians and drivers.

Economic Benefits
Streets with bike lanes see increased foot traffic and local business revenue. When people can safely bike to shops and restaurants, they're more likely to stop and spend money. Studies show cyclists actually spend more at local businesses over time compared to drivers.

Strategic Corridors
Major arteries like Bloor Street are crucial for bike infrastructure. These continuous east-west routes allow cyclists to efficiently cross the city, just as drivers rely on these streets. Removing bikes from these corridors would force cyclists onto smaller streets, increasing travel times and pushing more people back to cars.

Additional Benefits:

- Environmental impact: Increased cycling reduces emissions and improves air quality
- Public health: Active transportation helps combat sedentary lifestyles
- Cost-effective: Bike lanes are significantly cheaper to build and maintain than car infrastructure
- Social equity: Cycling provides affordable transportation for all income levels
- Community building: Bike-friendly streets encourage more neighborhood interaction

Conclusion:

Bike lanes aren't just about cyclists - they're about building a more livable, prosperous, and sustainable city for everyone. The evidence from cities worldwide shows that investing in cycling infrastructure pays dividends in public health, economic growth, and quality of life. Toronto can't afford to move backwards by removing bike lanes if we want to compete as a truly world-class city.