Removing bicycle lanes from…

Removing bicycle lanes from downtown Toronto would be a misguided decision that could negatively impact safety, mobility, and economic vitality in the city. The following outlines key reasons why maintaining and expanding bicycle infrastructure is crucial for Toronto's economic development and reducing road user injuries and deaths.

Safety Improvements:

One of the primary benefits of bicycle lanes is enhanced safety for all road users. Research consistently shows that dedicated cycling infrastructure reduces collision rates and injuries:

- A study published in the Journal of the American Planning Association found that after implementing separated bike lanes on Bloor Street in Toronto, cycling collisions decreased by 38% on the street itself and by 35% in surrounding areas, despite a 2.57 times increase in cyclist volume[1][2].

- Data from the City of Toronto reveals that on Bloor Street, cycling injuries dropped by 56% after bike lane installation, while pedestrian injuries decreased from 13 to 5 per year and motorist injuries reduced from 29 to 21 per year[5].

- Similar safety improvements have been observed in other cities. In New York City, the installation of cycle tracks decreased injuries to cyclists and pedestrians by 57% and 29% respectively[4].

Increased Cycling Adoption:

Bicycle lanes encourage more people to cycle, which can help alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road:

- After installing bike lanes on Bloor Street, cycling volume increased by over 40%.

- The minister's assertion that only 1.2% of trips in Toronto are made by bicycle is false. According to provincial data, nearly 10% of all trips in the city that end in downtown Toronto are taken by bike or other micromobility vehicle.

- Bike Share Toronto statistics show annual ridership increased from 665,000 trips in 2015 to 5.7 million trips in 2023, demonstrating growing demand for cycling infrastructure.

Economic Benefits:

Contrary to concerns about negative impacts on businesses, research indicates that bicycle lanes can have positive economic effects:

- A study on Toronto's Bloor Street bike lanes found that local businesses reported getting more customers after the lanes were installed.

- Research by the Clean Air Partnership revealed that in the Bloor Annex neighbourhood, patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visit most often and spend the most money per month.

- Only 10% of patrons drive to the Bloor Annex area, suggesting that removing parking for bike lanes would have minimal impact on most customers.

Minimal Impact on Vehicle Traffic:

While there are concerns about increased congestion due to bike lanes, evidence suggests the impact on vehicle traffic is limited:

- A simulation study published in the journal Sustainability found that implementing dedicated safe cycling lanes had no significant impact on average travel times for cars.

- Any perceived increases in travel times may be due to other factors such as population growth, the post COVID rebound and increased vehicle ownership, rather than bike lanes themselves.

Public Support and Demand:

There is significant public support for improved cycling infrastructure in Toronto:

- Over 70% of Torontonians, including both cyclists and non-cyclists, reported that separating bike lanes from traffic would most improve cycling in the city.

Logistic issues with the proposed removal of bike lanes:

- For bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge, there are no feasible parallel alternate routes that wouldn’t also result in the conversion of motor vehicle lanes.

- The estimated financial impact is $48 million in additional costs to provincial taxpayers for the removal of bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge. This is money that could be better spent on fixing health care or improving transit.

Multiple organisations opposing the proposed legislation:

- Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto City Council have formally expressed their opposition to Bill 212. The province should withdraw the proposed amendments and work collaboratively with cities to address congestion and road safety.

- the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, and Ontario Traffic Council all oppose Bill 212.

Conclusion:

Removing bicycle lanes from downtown Toronto would be a step backward in terms of safety, mobility, and sustainable urban development. The evidence strongly supports maintaining and expanding cycling infrastructure to create a more efficient, safe, and vibrant city for all residents.