I am dismayed and concerned…

I am dismayed and concerned over recent reports that Premier Ford and the Conservative Party are seeking to modify already implemented bike lines in my neighborhood (I live directly on Bloor, just east of Royal York).

Before the bike lanes were installed I would routinely see people driving past my front door going 70-80km. This was a great source of anxiety given that I am the father of two 3 year old twin boys. As it is, on my daily walks with my children on the street where we live I have to maintain a hyper vigilance to ensure that my children do not get harmed by a passing vehicle. I am so grateful to the bike lanes for providing a small barrier between the car traffic and the sidewalk where my children walk. Yes, we must still be mindful of the bike traffic, but at least cyclists are slower, and do not have a windshield / music / are less often on their phones than motorists these days.

I am also irritated with the rhetoric which insists that cars should continue to have more consideration than other methods of transport. Due to inflation and the ever increasing cost of living, I actually have had to sell my vehicle in the past year, and now make routine use of the bike lines just outside my door. I can only expect that more and more people will be in a similar position to me.

In short, please don't make my neighborhood less safe for the small children who's well-being is threatened by the ability for cars to speed more efficiently and have closer access to curbs. And also please take some consideration in mind for those of us who cannot afford a personal vehicle...