If this proposal was…

If this proposal was actually about saving commuters time, it would be about improving our public transit systems and encouraging different methods than driving for getting around the province. Through induced demand, we can get cars off the most congested highway and all of north America on top of letting those who can't afford cars freedom and autonomy.

But instead , we completely ignore genuine solutions to the proposed problems, and instead cater to manufactured grievances between drivers and cyclists. All the while slipping in unrelated and incredibly unpopular details so they pass unnoticed in the process.

Removing bike lanes will not save drivers time, as every biker who can afford to will start driving, resulting in more congestion. Without these lanes, cyclists will be forced take up a whole lane, effectively equating to another car on the road while risking the life of the cyclist. Business's rely on the increased foot traffic, parent's rely on bike lanes for transporting their kids. We've had 6 cyclist deaths this year from cyclists being forced to merge into traffic due to obstructions of the few bike lanes we have. Remove them completely and this number will rise.

I myself have multiple lasting injuries from having to look out for cars while cycling. It's too much, too threatening to bike in Toronto on roads without bike lanes. Roads where you are forced to dodge sewer grates, large potholes, and drivers using the right side of the road designated for cyclists as a place to park. Simply painting the right side of the road is not good enough to ensure cyclist safety.

This is all on top of the fact that the bill provides exemption from the federal environmental assessments of building highway 413, saving money for all of those involved in its construction while habitats get unnecessarily destroyed. The aforementioned principle of induced demand will cause more drivers, further adding to congestion 212 claims to remedy.

This bill is not in the best interests of public on the surface or at its core, and solidifies my belief that this government less interested in the betterment of the province by supporting those who need help the most, and instead wasting tax dollars by destroying something that was designed to solve the problem the bill falsely claims it will.

I am firmly against Bill 212.