Dear Ontario Ministry of…

Dear Ontario Ministry of Transportation,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the current provisions in Bill 212, which call for the removal of bike lanes that occupy traffic lanes as a means to reduce gridlock. While addressing congestion is an important goal, removing bike lanes is not the most effective solution, and the data suggests that bike lanes do not significantly contribute to gridlock.

Dedicated bike lanes are a vital part of creating safer, more efficient transportation networks. Removing them not only discourages cycling, but also reduces viable alternatives to car travel, which could ultimately increase traffic and carbon emissions. Rather than eliminating bike lanes, I urge the Ministry to consider other measures that have been shown to effectively reduce congestion, such as:

1. Prioritizing right-turn lanes at intersections to improve traffic flow.
2. Removing or restricting on-street parking in high-traffic areas.
3. Enhancing public transit options and promoting multi-modal transportation.

These solutions would address the root causes of congestion while preserving bike lanes, which are essential for promoting sustainable transportation and making our cities more accessible for all road users.

Thank you for considering this perspective, and I encourage you to amend Bill 212 to keep bike lanes in place while focusing on other, more targeted methods of reducing gridlock.