While the intention behind…

While the intention behind Bill 212 may be to create more sustainable transportation options, the approach of removing critical traffic lanes to install bike lanes is misguided, and risks exacerbating the very issues it seeks to resolve. We must consider the broader human toll, mobility challenges, and the profound negative effects cars have on public health and the environment before enacting such a policy.

1. Human Toll and the Health of Citizens
Cars are the leading cause of traffic-related fatalities and injuries, but it’s important to recognize that their impact on human health extends beyond the immediate accidents. Air pollution caused by car emissions is a silent killer, contributing to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer. The World Health Organization has linked poor air quality to millions of premature deaths each year. By prioritizing bike lanes at the expense of car lanes, Bill 212 risks pushing more people into cars due to reduced road capacity, inadvertently worsening air pollution and public health outcomes.

Furthermore, while cycling has benefits for physical health, the transition can be dangerous for many, especially in cities with insufficient infrastructure. Without a comprehensive safety strategy, replacing traffic lanes could expose cyclists to greater risk in a complex urban environment.

2. Mobility Challenges and Inefficiencies
The fundamental purpose of a transportation system is to enable people to move efficiently from one place to another. By removing traffic lanes to make room for bike lanes, we are effectively reducing overall capacity, leading to more congestion. This doesn’t just waste time; it also places additional stress on people’s lives. In an already gridlocked system, adding more obstacles for drivers may seem counterproductive, particularly for individuals who rely on their vehicles for daily activities, including essential workers, families with children, and those with mobility impairments.

Congestion doesn’t just lead to longer travel times; it leads to increased stress, anxiety, and ultimately reduced quality of life. The human toll of these factors is significant: more time stuck in traffic means less time spent with family, at work, or participating in community life. The psychological and emotional strain that comes with spending hours in traffic can lead to long-term health consequences, such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.

3. Cars Are Detrimental to the Human Race
It’s true that cars have transformed modern society, but their long-term effects are overwhelmingly negative. Cars are major contributors to climate change, emitting vast amounts of carbon dioxide that are altering our planet’s ecosystem. In addition to their environmental toll, car dependence has reshaped cities in ways that diminish the overall human experience.

Consider the urban sprawl facilitated by car infrastructure. Suburbs have expanded at the cost of community and human connection, leaving many people isolated and disconnected. In places designed around cars, walkability and social interaction are often an afterthought, contributing to feelings of loneliness and alienation. This is a direct result of prioritizing vehicles over human-centric urban design.

Moreover, the automobile industry has deep ties to environmental degradation, from the extraction of raw materials to the pollution created by manufacturing and fuel consumption. If we are serious about the health and future of humanity, we must reduce our reliance on cars, not just rearrange traffic lanes.

4. A Call for Balanced Transportation Solutions
Rather than removing car lanes and creating unnecessary conflict between cyclists and drivers, we should be advocating for a balanced transportation policy that incorporates more sustainable options without negatively impacting the majority of people who rely on cars. Public transit, improved cycling infrastructure that doesn’t require lane removal, and better pedestrian pathways can all coexist in a well-planned urban landscape. These options will help reduce congestion, promote sustainability, and improve health outcomes without sacrificing the mobility of those who depend on cars.

We need to focus on systemic solutions, such as the expansion of public transit networks and the integration of green spaces for walking and cycling. Addressing the root causes of gridlock—over-reliance on automobiles and the lack of viable alternatives—will bring about lasting, positive change.