As a resident of Etobicoke…

As a resident of Etobicoke south of Royal York and bloor, I’m extremely disappointed in the backward direction the provincial government is moving. Not only is the provincial government needlessly getting involved in a local matter, it seems it does not fully understand (nor is willing to communicate to the public) the apparent cause for traffic on bloor street west in Etobicoke. Today there are at least 8 sets of traffic lights between Humber river and Islington. Substantially increased density around Kipling and islington have resulted in a large increase in the local population compared to 5 years ago. Regardless of the number of lanes, there will not be an enormous benefit of removing bike lanes due to the increase of vehicles due to population and the slowed traffic from the controlled intersections. Today it was announced that average temperature this year is 1.5C above historic levels. As a cyclist, bike lanes through Etobicoke have made me feel safer and I now cycle to work at least once a week. I also cycle to bloor west and other shopping destinations. Removing bike lanes will either result in me slowing traffic in car lanes, or reducing my support of local business.