Removing bike tracks on…

Removing bike tracks on Bloor, University and Yonge makes no sense:

• It’s an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds to remove recently installed cycle tracks installed at taxpayer expense
• The cycle tracks were installed after considerable design work and consultation. Provincial involvement in this after the fact is just intrusion into matters better addressed (and already addressed) by the City of Toronto
• As a driver, I prefer not to have cyclists mixed in with automobiles
• As a parent, I worry about my daughter having to share the sidewalks (even if it is illegal) with cyclists who consider the sidewalk safer than the road
• There is no evidence that removing the cycle tracks will significantly reduce congestion. Induced demand makes clear both that the removing the cycle tracks will not reduce congestion and that leaving them will encourage more cycling, which has multiple benefits for increasing road capacity, and for riders and society at large. Recent trends show increased use of cycling in Toronto, and this can only be expected to continue to increase, particularly with so many buildings being built with little or no vehicle parking. This will mean more cyclists mixing with vehicles in the absence of cycle tracks
• Even if it were appropriate to redirect cycle tracks to nearby non-arterial streets, there are not appropriate alternative streets in these locations
• These cycle tracks parallel Toronto subway lines. For commuters making trips beyond convenient distances for cycling should be encouraged to use public transit, rather than making the roads less safe for cyclists, pedestrians and ultimately car drivers. Here the province could provide operating cost support to reduce fares and improve the reliability, frequency, and comfort of the TTC system.