I think the part of Bill 212…

I think the part of Bill 212 to relieve traffic congestion by restricting bike lane infrastructure and removing existing bike lanes is misguided and will actually lead to more traffic gridlock. Multiple studies in both North American and European cities have shown that well designed and well connected cycling infrastructure made up of dedicated protected bike lanes make people feel safer to cycle to work, school, or do errands. The same studies show that ‘induced demand’ is created by more traffic lanes as more people who may not otherwise have chosen to drive are now creating more automobile congestion by driving instead of using more environmental modes of transportation such as public transit or cycling. After spending a week in Montreal this past September both driving and cycling it was evident that it’s extensive (over 1,800 kms), well connected and protected cycling infrastructure is very well used by many cyclists in every part of the island. These protected bike lanes have not only shown to reduce cyclist fatalities but slow drivers making right hand turns at intersections thus reducing pedestrian accidents and fatalities. (Journal of Urban Mobility)
I’m a renovation contractor who needs to drive for work, and recreational cyclist who lives in the north part of the city of Toronto near Yonge St. and Hwy 401. I would definitely take more trips by bicycle especially for errands if there were protected bicycle lanes in my area especially because cars coming off the highway tend to travel at much higher speeds than the posted 50km/hr. I appreciate the investment the Ontario Provincial Government is doing to create more public transportation infrastructure in Toronto such as the Crosstown LRT, Finch LRT, and subway expansions in Scarborough, Yonge north and the Ontario Line. As these projects are still not operating and still under construction, leading to further lane reductions, we have not yet seen the reduction in automobile congestion that will happen once these projects come on line. The provincial government needs to be more collaborative and work with and not against municipal governments and understand that a mix of transportation modes other than the automobile such as public transportation and bicycles relieve pressure on roadways so that goods and service vehicles can move around the city more efficiently and keep the economy moving.