I am speaking both as a…

I am speaking both as a driver and as a cyclist. I am strongly opposed to removing bike lanes from major roads. Studies have shown that they reduce collisions, save lives, and don't significantly impede the flow of traffic.

My husband was hit by a car on a road without a bike lane and I know of several other cyclists who have been hit, some suffering life altering injuries or dying as a result of the collision. As a driver, I have come close to hitting a cyclist on a couple of occasions, despite being careful and watching for them.

Safer cycling on major thoroughfares will increase the number of people willing to ride bikes in cities and thus, reduce car traffic and ease congestion. Moving bike lanes onto back roads makes cycling less convenient and is not possible in some areas of cities due to landscape and infrastructure limiting places to cross (ravines, rivers, train tracks, etc.)

It is a waste of taxpayer money to remove bike lane infrastructure and reinstall bike lanes on other roads.

The city I live in has installed bike lanes in order to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. I strongly urge you to withdraw Bill 212.