The proposed removal of bike…

The proposed removal of bike lanes is one that is not based on evidence and will end up with more dead cyclists on our streets. The reasoning behind the removal is flawed, as even the government’s own reports say that removing bike lanes will not improve car traffic flow. It will also make these streets less pleasant to be on and will cause businesses to suffer (see the Annex BIA’s analysis of the damage businesses will endure if the bike lanes are torn out). Cities all over the world (including Montreal) are building bike lanes throughout their cities and doing all they can to encourage alternatives to the car, which is the only evidence-based way to improve traffic flow.

I do not own a car and use these streets every day to get to work and live my life. Please don’t make my communities worse by tearing up bike lanes that have been a huge success. Cities should not just be places some cars can drive through quickly and dangerously. It should be a place for people to live, like me.

Lastly, removing bike lanes forces cyclists, including Uber Eats riders, to share the road with heavy traffic, which many will avoid by moving to sidewalks. This creates a significant safety hazard for pedestrians, especially with powered bikes traveling at high speeds. Sidewalks are meant to be safe spaces for people walking, and an influx of cyclists will make them more dangerous and chaotic, particularly for those who are vulnerable. Bike lanes help keep everyone in their proper space, reducing conflicts and protecting both cyclists and pedestrians.

Thank you,
Melissa