The decision to remove…

The decision to remove existing bike lanes is foolish and pandering to a select few who are able to afford a private motor vehicle. For those of us who rely on public transit, our own two feet and most enjoyably, our bikes, many of these bikes lanes are our main ways of commuting into work.

I personally use the Bloor Street bike lanes several times a week, well into the winter season until they are no longer maintained and are obstructed with snow (another issue altogether). I use them to run errands, to commute to work, to get across town to visit friends and to stop along at the shops and restaurants along the way. Whenever I use them, I am never the sole occupant of the bike lanes. There are always at least 20-25 other cyclists that I pass along the way to my destination. These range from others like me who are commuting, to parents with their children in a bike seat behind them, to delivery drivers who need those lanes to stay safe as they go about their jobs.

To remove bike lanes and completely prioritize motor vehicles on roads, you are making it exponentially more dangerous for those who cycle. We will still need to be on the road, but now we will have to share a lane with cars. Cars that, if they are properly following the highway control act, should be at least a meter away from cyclists. Meaning technically alone main arteries like Bloor, cyclists could rightfully take up the whole lane of traffic by riding in the center. Somehow I don't believe motorists would enjoy that scenario either. Even with the separated bike lanes, I almost get hit by motorists at intersections at least several times every time I venture out. You would be making things so much more dangerous for those of us who have limited other forms of transportation. Our lives are in your hands. Please make the right and educated decision.

To further disprove the 'need' for removal and deprioritization of bike lanes, here is an article detailing exactly how that would not be the case should that even be implemented:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/bike-lanes-impacts-1.7358319#:~:text=Bi…