I am opposed to the proposal…

I am opposed to the proposal for the province to give itself the power to remove bike lanes, which is and should remain a municipal issue.
I am also opposed to the province removing existing bike lanes, in particular on Bloor St. This road is a key east-west artery that many people use to get around the city, whether in a car, on a bike, on foot, etc. Due to this road crossing ravines, railways, etc and the general layout of surrounding streets, there are not side streets that are viable alternatives for cyclists. I know this because I had to cobble together convoluted routes through side streets prior to these lanes being in place. Due to this reality we should share the space on Bloor St and consider everyone's needs, rather than focusing just on cars.
Bike lanes have not been shown to be the main factor creating congestion, so this proposal will not address the issue it claims to. Instead they create a safe environment where more people can choose to make more trips by bike over time. The province also is confusing the issue by using city-wide data for cycling statistics rather than looking at how many people bike in neighbourhoods well served by bike lanes, which is higher.
Ontario claims to be "open for business". However bike lanes have been shown to be good for local businesses along the route. They also facilitate bike-driven businesses such as food delivery. This doesn't seem to be a consideration in the discussion.
I can't speak to the direct impact of this proposal on me since the exact segments being proposed for removal have not been shared. However there are portions of these bike lanes I use regularly to get to work, activities, visit friends, etc. Depending on which parts are removed, it could significantly derail my ability to get around in a safe, effective manner while also getting exercise and reducing car use.
I urge the province to step away from this issue and keep it at a municipal level where it belongs.