There are many causes of…

There are many causes of traffic congestion (gridlock) but widening existing roadways and building new expressways will at most reduce congestion for a very short time. Removing existing bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge and University will have no impact on traffic congestions on those roads or other roads in Toronto. Moreover the construction work to remove those lanes will make traffic worse and all taxpayers in Ontario will ultimately pay for removal of these lanes. Such money could be better spent to help improve public transit throughout the province. The other cost will be road safety, since some cyclist will continue to use those roads.

As someone who regularly uses a bicycle as transportation and in the past taught bicycle safety courses (Can-Bike) with the city of Toronto, I have a strong interest in road safety. I have also found that to travel longer that a few blocks, main roads are the fastest and shortest way to get to my destination. Side streets do not provide the most direct routes and beyond a certain distance, it is impossible not to use a main road for at least some of ones trip.

Ultimately, we should focus on moving people, not vehicles.