I am writing in regards to …

I am writing in regards to "Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane."

The Province of Ontario website states:

"Prescribed municipalities would be required to seek provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes (“bike lanes”) that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic. Approval will be based on a set of specified criteria, to be set out in guidance and/or regulation.

The proposed framework would also provide the province with the authority to require municipalities to submit information about existing bike lanes on municipal roads where an existing vehicle lane was removed. Based on the outcome of the review, a regulation could be made to require the removal of the bike lane and its return to a lane of traffic.

The framework is proposed to require the province to remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes in the City of Toronto."

The level of government that should be responsible for installing, modifying and removing bike lanes is the City of Toronto. The Province should not interfere with the City's management of this issue. If voters in the City of Toronto wish bike lanes to be removed, they can vote for Councillors and Mayoral candidates who promise to remove them; this would be a more democratic approach to bike lanes. If the government of the Province of Ontario is committed to democracy and allowing communities to make decisions about local issues, the Province should keep out of the decision-making process regarding bike lanes.

As a Torontonian who both drives and bicycles, I understand that heavy traffic can be frustrating to drivers. The Bloor bike lanes replaced a "part" lane of traffic, so I do not believe that they made a significant difference to traffic flow. There is no alternative east-west corridor that bicycles can use to get through the city (east-west side streets do not run continuously and there are many stop signs on side street routes).

There are many arterial roads in Toronto with no bike lanes. Drivers have lots of options to get around Toronto.

I implore the Province of Ontario to modify Bill 212 so that the City of Toronto can decide exclusively about the presence of bike lanes in the city.