To whom it may concern, my…

To whom it may concern, my thoughts on Bill 212,

I think it's ridiculous that my tax dollars were used to add these SAFE AND VERY NECESSARY bike lanes and all of that is now being WASTED and ripped away at the hands of this government's proposed Bill 212. Doug Ford claims that only 1.2% of Torontonians bike to work. However, that data is from 1991. A study from 30+ years ago doesn't reflect the Toronto and its citizens of today!

Current studies, which I'm sure he and his government have ignored because they don't fit their narrative, show exactly the opposite. Ridership is up and we need to support and PROTECT Toronto's cyclists. We need to acknowledge the cycling deaths that have occurred in this city. It is shameful that we are even proposing such a Bill with the cyclist AND pedestrian deaths that have occurred in our city! The common denominator is always cars and the many distracted, speeding, 'main character syndrome' people that drive them. Bike lanes not only enhance safety for cyclists but also contribute to reduced traffic congestion, reduced speeding and reduced pollution. A modern city I would be proud to live in!

We live in a city of one person per car mentality. We live in a city where the right-hand lane is essentially a parking lot. It will continue to be and will continue to cause this congestion you blame on cyclists. We should be completing our construction and transit projects in a timely manner (HELLO LRT), keep existing transit running smoothly and encouraging more people to find alternative means to get around our city, for example, cycling.

Bike lanes should be the least of this government's worries. We need to protect the people that are making our city run smoother. We need to protect them, because they MATTER and their tax dollars should count too, no? We need to KEEP existing infrastructure set up for cyclists and not go back in time as if all of this is their fault. I’m absolutely fed up with this government and their inability to read the room and follow proper studies that have been done concerning this issue and in turn make Toronto less safe for EVERYONE.

Doug Ford needs to stay focused on bigger issues that he hasn't seemed to pay attention to during his time in office. Instead, he's focused on the important things like proposing Bill 212 and getting more alcohol in our corner stores. What a GREAT, soulless, contribution he has made to our society. But I guess it's all a welcomed distraction when you're not accomplishing anything at all.

Sincerely,

Fed up pedestrian, car owner, and spouse of a cyclist (An experienced cyclist, I should add, that I worry about every day when he leaves our home and rides to and from work in the GTA.)