Removing bike lanes is the…

Removing bike lanes is the most haenous idea possible. We are facing the consequences of Global Warming and finding ways to reduce our carbon foot print are essential to the future of our planet and generations to come. Electric cars are not and will not be the solution for many years still to come. Additionally, despite reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for transportation the by-products of creating and disposing of car batteries are extremely harmful to the environment. Biking is an accessible, affordable, zero footprint way to commute. Additionally, it provides a way to get active in the city where green spaces are significantly limited. More active Torontians means improved physical and mental health and hopefully reduced burden on health care. If you're trying to reduce traffic, getting rid of bike lanes IS NOT the way to do it - now you're making people rely on driving to work instead of giving them the easy option of biking. By removing bike lanes you're also creating a huge safety risk for cyclists! Drivers are often distracted and not paying attention to cyclists, so by having a bike lane it creates more separation between cyclists and drivers. Look at cities across the world that have a strong cycling culture. It is possible to make the city less congested and improve traffic but removing a method of transportation - i.e., cycling - is not the way to do it. It feels like the government is making the city less accessible and more dangerous to live in.