I've lived in the city for…

I've lived in the city for about 8 years and started biking as a means of transportation in 2023. Previously I had been intimidated by biking as I was concerned about my safety. However, I noticed that the city had improved bike lanes significantly. Which many roads having protected lanes and biking infrastructure.

The presence of this infrastructure encouraged me to start biking. Since then I have loved riding my bike around the city. It gives me a sense of independence, it's fun, and allows me to travel anywhere I need to go in the city. I frequently utilize the bloor street bike lanes, university bike lanes, Adelaide and Richmond bike lanes, Spadina bike lanes and others as I move through the city.

Occasionally, I've ridden on roads with no bike lanes such as some parts of queen street and it feels significantly unsafe compared to where bike lanes exist. However I am rarely the only biker on those roads either.

I encourage everyone around me to bike if they are able to. And when people take me up on it, they always mention how there's more bike lanes than they thought and how much easier it is to get to their destination because of it.

It has also been incredible for my physical and mental health. Bike lanes save lives and it is important that the city protects all forms of transportation in the city. Like drivers, I am simply trying to get to and fro safely. The city has been doing a great job of improving biking infrastructure and I believe it is of the utmost importance to move forward and not backwards.