I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my concern regarding recent discussions about removing bike lanes within our city. This decision appears not only shortsighted but counterproductive to the larger goals of environmental sustainability, efficient urban mobility, and economic growth. Bike lanes have repeatedly proven to be a valuable infrastructure investment, facilitating cleaner transportation options, reducing emissions, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Bike lanes are not the root cause of our city’s traffic congestion. Rather, the primary contributors to gridlock are well-documented: our reliance on personal vehicles, limited alternative transit options, and construction and infrastructure projects that remain incomplete or nonfunctional. For instance, major highways like the 401, the Don Valley Parkway, and the Gardiner Expressway are consistently congested, regardless of the presence of bike lanes in the downtown core. It is these thoroughfares, alongside the delayed completion of projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, that exacerbate traffic, not the availability of bike lanes. Without sufficient alternative transportation options, our reliance on personal vehicles will only continue, further intensifying traffic concerns. Based on the logic that bike lanes create gridlock, then roadways that don't have bike lanes should have fewer delays. However, the data does not support this. The data does support the idea that roads with bike lanes have fewer accidents involving cyclists than roads that don't, and the volume of cyclists on these bike lanes is higher!

Moreover, data consistently supports the positive impact of bike lanes on city infrastructure. Cities that invest in bike lanes see reduced vehicular traffic, lower emissions, and increased economic activity in areas accessible by bike. Bike lanes offer a genuine, sustainable alternative to car dependency, and removing them would set back our city’s progress in reducing carbon emissions and promoting public health. You only need to look at other major cities such as London, New York, and Paris, where no one would ever drive to the city centre and, in some cases, charge a surcharge to do so. This has not harmed this city; quite the opposite, it makes these cities more walkable, and increases tourism and spending in the local economy.

While I understand the frustrations of those who sit in traffic and perceive bike lanes as impediments, I would urge you to consider the broader picture. Merely because a bike lane appears to move faster than car traffic should not warrant its removal. Instead, we should focus on expanding and improving our transportation infrastructure as a whole, offering residents viable and efficient alternatives to car travel.

I respectfully request that the province refocus its efforts on improving public transportation infrastructure and empowering local governments to make decisions on transit needs. Our city’s residents deserve a say in shaping the future of their transportation options, and we cannot afford to take a step backward on a matter as crucial as urban mobility.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue. I hope we can work together to create a transportation network that supports all modes of travel and keeps our city moving forward.

Sincerely,
Ontario Resident