Bill 212 - ERO 019-9266 …

Bill 212 - ERO 019-9266 Reducing Gridlock, As commentary on ERO 019-9266, Bill 212 Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024,

I support municipal authority in determining bike lane development without added provincial oversight. Municipal representatives are closer to their constituents and better able to respond to the needs/wants of the community regarding both vehicle and bike transit as well as growth and development in neighborhoods. Research from major cities (New York, Paris, Copenhagen, Montreal) shows that bike lanes significantly reduce car commuter times.

I applaud municipalities' efforts to decrease emissions and acknowledge the impact of increased bike ridership, as seen in Toronto, where bike trips rose by 4 million over eight years. More cyclists can alleviate road congestion and reduce vehicle numbers, contributing to lower emissions.

Cycling has a much smaller carbon footprint than cars, with the environmental impact of bike manufacturing offset within a year of use, making bike lanes crucial for combating climate change. As well, evidence shows that a population that bikes more is healthier, easing strain on both the health care system as well as traffic.

Cycling is an affordable, sustainable lifestyle choice and cyclists are equally entitled as drivers to arrive safely to their destinations.

This bill aims to relocate utility infrastructure, potentially leading to the expropriation of more agricultural and Greenbelt lands, which are vital for food supply and carbon sinks. Ontarians have made it clear we do not want to develop the Greenbelt for any reason.

In this vein, I think that thorough environmental assessments for Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass is essential to ensure compliance with species at risk legislation. Humans rely on the ecosystem to enable our current way of life. This highway threatens the wellbeing of all Ontarians. We know that more highways do nothing to reduce gridlock— safe cycling and expansive public transit do. I firmly oppose the expropriation of Greenbelt and agricultural lands for highway projects.

I short, I oppose Bill 212 as it currently stands and see it as a threat to improved safety, security, and quality of life for Ontarians.