I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 212, which proposes the removal of bike lanes in Ontario. This bill, if passed, would have significant negative impacts on the environment, public health, and the quality of life in our communities.

First, bike lanes are essential for reducing traffic congestion and encouraging sustainable, eco-friendly transportation. Removing them would not only increase reliance on cars but also contribute to higher emissions, worsening air quality and exacerbating the climate crisis. We need to prioritize greener forms of transportation, not eliminate them. Bike lanes are a key component of building more sustainable cities and reducing our carbon footprint.

In addition, bike lanes contribute to public health by encouraging physical activity. Cycling is a low-impact exercise that helps reduce obesity, heart disease, and other health problems. By removing bike lanes, we undermine the public health benefits that these spaces provide, pushing people back into cars and contributing to a more sedentary lifestyle.

Moreover, bike lanes enhance safety. Studies show that cities with well-designed cycling infrastructure have lower accident rates, both for cyclists and pedestrians. Removing bike lanes would put vulnerable road users at greater risk, leading to more injuries and deaths.

Finally, while Bill 212 proposes to remove bike lanes, it’s important to consider the financial implications. The funds that would be used for reversing bike lane installations could be better allocated to addressing more urgent issues such as affordable housing, mental health services, and community infrastructure. With the growing housing crisis in Ontario, redirecting resources toward housing development would provide a far greater long-term benefit to the public than dismantling bike lanes.

For the sake of our environment, public health, safety, and overall quality of life, I urge you to oppose Bill 212 and to prioritize policies that foster sustainable urban development, protect vulnerable road users, and address our province's housing needs.