I want to express my extreme…

I want to express my extreme disappointment in the government for proposing this bill.

This bill is an extreme overreach on the part of the government and will result in more red tape for municipalities that are working to make their communities more livable now and in the future. This bill will also have a cost for municipalities that already have plans in place for improving their active transportation networks but will now require approval from the provincial government going forward.

This bill will increase the size and cost of of the Ontario government due to having to approve plans for improving transportation options in cities and towns from Windsor to London to Kitchener to Newmarket to Kingston to Ajax to Barrie to Sudbury to Thunder Bay. All of this seemly because someone driving an oversized single occupant vehicle from Etobicoke to Queen's Park gets frustrated dealing with traffic.

Limiting and removing bike lanes limits and removes options and choices for transportation in urban areas. This limiting of options will likely lead to more people deciding to drive instead of using a bike or other means of active transportation which will likely increase the traffic congestion this bill is trying to decrease.

Instead of directing so many resources on removing options for transportation this government should be looking at ways to increase options. The focus should be on improving public transportation options, improving safety and building active transportation networks that will encourage people to use a means of transportation that is different than a single occupancy vehicle.

This bill is short-sighted, will limit options for people looking to help reduce traffic congestion and will increase red tape for municipalities that are working on making their communities more livable. I would like to see this government show strong leadership by removing the requirement for provincial approval for bike lanes from this bill.