Doug Ford has been pushing…

Doug Ford has been pushing the concept of removing red tape and has also multiple time criticized the federal government about interfering with certain areas of provincial decision making. However, this Bill is introducing red tape and removing the ability for municipalities to make appropriate decisions for the well-being of their citizens and their municipalities. There is no valid justification for the province to be involving itself in these areas, nor for adding more difficulties and concerns around municipalities and cities that are attempting to improve or begin green transportation initiatives.

The city of Toronto took considerable time, money and effort to determine where their bike lanes should be placed and how to make the roads safer for everyone involved. This is not an area for the provincial government to provide their input, let alone remove all of the hard work that the city has done and essentially prohibit the city of Toronto, as well as other cities and municipalities, from deciding their own way forward based on what their city requires. The provincial government is completely overstepping their jurisdiction and is also interfering with proven methods of reducing pollution in the cities and for allowing any cyclists in the city to be safer when travelling.

As well, the justification that is being put forward on why these bike lanes should be removed are based on flawed and improper data. These lanes are making cyclists feel safer, have increased business revenue for business along these routes, and have had minimal, if any, impact on how long it takes a car driver to travel along these roads.

When transportation options are being considered, cars should not be given more power over other options: cars take up considerable space for very few passengers, do extensive environmental damage, and take a big toll on the roads than other forms of transportation (when considered on a per person basis). Bike lanes provide an environmentally sound method of transportation and allow people to more safely be able to commute across the streets of the city.

As per the City of Toronto's data (https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/8f76-2019-Cycling-Pub…), the number of people cycling has continued to increase year-over-year and roughly 70% of people currently cycle in the city: "The percentage
of reported cyclists in the City of Toronto continues to increase over the past 20 years, with seven
in ten Toronto residents (70%) who reported cycling compare to 54 per cent in 2009 and 48 per
cent in 1999. While the percentage of Toronto residents that reported being recreational cyclist
(meaning the cycle for recreation or fitness) has remained steady (26% in 2019, 25% in 2009 and
28% in 1999) Toronto residents who reported being utilitarian cyclists (meaning they either cycle
to work, school, to go shopping or visit friends) has increase from 29 per cent in 2009 to 44 per
cent in 2019." (https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/8f76-2019-Cycling-Pub…)

Additionally, the bike lanes make these cyclists feel safer, and they would like to have more bike lanes on major streets, not less. "Asked about their comfort levels on certain types of streets/paths, Toronto residents are twice as likely to say they feel comfortable or somewhat comfortable with major roads with bike lanes/cycle tracks (31% comfortable, 32% somewhat comfortable) than without bike lanes/cycle track (15% comfortable, 20% somewhat comfortable). A majority report feeling comfortable or somewhat comfortable on residential streets (41% comfortable, 36% somewhat comfortable) and on bike trails and multi-use paths (58% comfortable, 25% somewhat comfortable). Those classified as interested but concerned/bike curious were nearly four times more likely to report being comfortable with major roads with bike lanes/cycle tracks (22% comfortable, 33% somewhat comfortable) than major roads without bike lanes (four per cent comfortable, 10% somewhat comfortable)."

The cost of removing these bike lanes is staggeringly high, with the latest estimate being $48 million; this is a significant amount and could be spent in much better ways by the province.

Other municipalities are now holding off on implementing their own cycling infrastructure plans as they do not want to waste tax-payer money and are unsure of what the future will bring.

Ontario should be working with municipalities and not against them. The municipalities should be making these decisions on their own and the only influence that the province should have is on potentially subsidizing some of these healthy, green initiatives; instead, the province is being heavy-handed and refusing to allow the municipalities to have the proper authority that they have been given on managing their roads and infrastructure.

We are supposed to be working at reducing pollution and improving green options, yet this Bill does the opposite: it will not allow there to be safe, effective and efficient bike lanes to commute from work to home and to get around the city in a safe and efficient manner. Instead, this Bill is allowing the drivers to continue to pollute and to use up as much road space as they want, while all others are left with fewer options and methods of traversing their own home towns in a safe and efficient manner.