As a resident of Ontario, I…

As a resident of Ontario, I am appalled by the clear overreach of Bill 212. Municipalities know their streets best and should be in charge of how they’re designed and used.

I drive in Toronto and throughout the Province and traffic is absolutely a problem; however, the research is very clear that providing safe alternative modes of transportation like bike lanes can actually reduce congestion and save lives.

The statistics being used to tout this bill are skewed. The data shows that more people cycle when there are bike lanes. Additionally, cyclists won’t disappear if there aren’t bike lanes but they will have to bike in the street, slowing traffic and risking their safety.

We should be planning cities using reliable and accurate data and expert opinions, not based on politics and power plays.

Investing more in public transportation and supporting municipalities' efforts to encourage active transportation would be more effective at reducing traffic.

Further, bike lanes have been shown to support the local economy as cyclists (and pedestrians) are more likely to stop and shop and often spend more than those who drive.

The premier of a Province has no business telling a municipality whether they can put bike lanes in or not.

Please reconsider Bill 212. Our roads should be safe and accessible to all people, not just those in cars. This shouldn’t be divisive. A variety of transportation options should be available to everyone.