Bike lanes and/or cycling…

Bike lanes and/or cycling infrastructure are present on only 4% of Toronto’s estimated 5,600 km of roads – it’s absurd to suggest they are causing congestion in the City of Toronto.

The province offers no evidence/data to support this unfounded claim because none exists. In fact, the opposite is true as many studies show that bike lanes help reduce congestion, reduce vehicle speeds up to 28%, and calm streets.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT – now 14 years in the making – along with the Finch West LRT and the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) remain unopened. These failed activations, along with many construction-related road closures, are primary factors contributing to the congestion in the city which has been ongoing for many years.

The recent Toronto Respecting Local Democracy and Cities – Supplemental Report: Impact of Bill 212 Bike Lanes clearly shows that ridership has rapidly increased where bike lanes and/or cycling infrastructure have been installed – up to 600+% - “Ridership along these corridors (Bloor St., Yonge St. and University Ave.) in 2024 has surpassed 750,000 users to-date.”

Safe bicycle lanes and/or cycling infrastructure helps get people out of cars removing vehicles from roads to ease congestion, while providing healthy, green and economic solutions for residents. This fact is true around the globe and supported by volumes of data.

Bike lanes are good for business which countless studies also show – the Bloor Annex BIA claims this as well and states “…removal of bike lanes would be disastrous.” In one case study in Seattle when bike lanes replaced 12 parking spaces, sales quadrupled.

Why are major cities like Montreal, Paris, London, and NYC along with many others like Vancouver, Edmonton, Seattle, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Austin, Portland etc. embracing cycling and continuing to build safe and efficient cycling networks…?

The answer is simple Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria – because it works.

Removing any bike infrastructure is unwarranted and a colossal and costly mistake that negates years of research, strategic planning and implementation, and discounts the tremendous work and careful consideration that goes on behind the scenes before, during and after bike lanes and other cycling infrastructure are installed.

Furthermore, the lives and safety of countless workers, students, commuters, doctors, professionals, business people, politicians, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers et al will be put at risk. Frankly it’s shocking, disheartening and embarrassing to see and hear the province’s rhetoric on the matter.

We need a culture shift, not a culture war or political stunts. Cycling is loved by everyone young and old – it’s family policy around the world.

The legacy of supporting cycling, bike lanes and complete streets is proven and should be fully supported and expanded by this government.