This bill is a dreadful idea…

This bill is a dreadful idea, for two reasons. First, bike lanes segregate bike and car traffic, which reduces accidents and promotes cycling, which is good from public health and climate change perspectives. When I drive, I like to have cyclists in a separate lane, where I don't have to worry about them.

Second, the province should give cities the autonomy to decide these (and most other) matters themselves. Toronto and Timmins may come to different answers on a given question and that's ok. I doubt the members of the Ford government would approve if a future non-Conservative government were to intrude on municipal autonomy to promote various progressive causes.

But let's not fool ourselves. This is a wedge issue designed to secure the votes of drivers who are frustrated by congestion. It's not going to help with congestion and will only waste money and put cyclists' lives at risk. The government should be ashamed of itself for putting forward this legislation.