I've been struggling with…

I've been struggling with Toronto. I've lived in many cities and towns across Canada in my lifetime, and lately I've been wondering why I came back here. It feels more and more unliveable. More expensive, more congested, more angry. Bike lanes have been a welcome antidote to these feelings. When new bike lanes recently were added to my neighbourhood, I immediately noticed how many people were out using them. Families and commuters suddenly had a new and less frustrating, healthy and joyous way to move through our neighbourhood. I joined them and it made me feel better about where I live. People fought long and hard for the bike lanes on Bloor. There were growing pains at first, but now that they have settled, they are doing a world of good.

Bike lanes are good for business: Following the bike lane installation on Bloor, there were more customers for Bloor businesses, and 90% of customers to Bloor arrive by foot, bicycle or transit (see The Centre for Active Transportation's 2017 Economic Impact Study of Bike Lanes)

They’re good for the environment AND congestion: more people cycling means less cars on the road. Many cyclists are ALSO drivers. Many cyclists choose to drive when they don't feel safe on a bike in the absence of bike lanes. Bike lanes save lives.

They’re good for public and personal health: building fitness into peoples daily lives through supporting cycling has long term effects on personal health, decreasing the burden on our public health care system over time.

Bike lanes, like public transit, are identifiers of world class cities. I don't want to live in a city without them.