I oppose Ontario Bill 212,…

I oppose Ontario Bill 212, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 202*, due to several significant concerns. The proposal to remove bike lanes as a strategy for reducing traffic congestion is fundamentally misguided and contradicted by evidence. Studies and historical data consistently show that removing bike lanes does not alleviate traffic congestion; in fact, it often worsens it. This measure will likely increase accidents and fatalities, leading to higher costs for the city in healthcare, emergency services, and legal expenses. Additionally, this is a scary overreach of provincial powers into municipal affairs.

Toronto’s own data underscores this point. When bike lanes were removed from Jarvis Street in 2011, city records revealed that traffic actually slowed, with increased travel times—directly contradicting the goal of reducing congestion. Eliminating bike lanes only serves to endanger cyclists and discourage sustainable transportation, fostering a higher dependence on cars and further contributing to gridlock.

Rather than adopting policies that risk lives and degrade urban infrastructure, the province should prioritize investments that truly benefit residents, such as strengthening healthcare and education. This would better serve the long-term interests of Ontarians than removing bike lanes to cater to drivers and suburban commuters.