Honorable Ministry of…

Honorable Ministry of Transportation,

The passage of Bill 212 — the "Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024" — is a deeply disappointing legislative move that prioritizes vehicular traffic at the expense of vulnerable road users, especially cyclists. Your decision to limit municipalities' authority to expand and maintain bike lanes risks endangering countless lives and undermines years of progress in safer urban mobility.

Toronto's recent wave of cyclist fatalities paints a grim picture of the dangers your bill exacerbates. A 24-year-old cyclist lost her life on Bloor Street this year, forced to merge into traffic due to a construction obstruction in the bike lane, only to be struck by a large truck. This tragic death is a vivid example of how incomplete or blocked bike infrastructure leads directly to loss of life, highlighting the life-and-death importance of consistent, unobstructed bike lanes.

The statistics are damning: Toronto's cycling deaths in 2024 have already surpassed totals from the last four years combined. Dump trucks and other heavy vehicles on poorly managed or inadequately separated cycling routes create fatal risks that could have been mitigated through more robust bike lane protection. Your bill's undermining of these critical safety measures is a dereliction of duty to the public good.

Studies and ongoing incidents illustrate that cities with comprehensive cycling infrastructure see reductions in traffic fatalities, improved air quality, and vibrant local economies. Fewer bike lanes mean greater traffic congestion as more citizens opt for cars, perpetuating the very gridlock you purport to reduce. This bill leaves Toronto’s cyclists — and all those across Ontario — exposed to a legacy of preventable tragedies on our streets.

We urge you to reconsider the sweeping, counterproductive measures in Bill 212 and commit to policies that truly prioritize safe, equitable transportation for all Ontarians.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Advocate for Safer Streets