Please reconsider the…

Please reconsider the impacts Bill-212 will have. We all want to get around cities easier and safer, and there are many of us who also want climate-friendly options. Transportation is the second largest emitter in cities, and in Toronto accounts for 35% of the cities carbon emissions. Separated bike lanes are an important port of how people currently get around, and when there are more of them, even more people will use them. These are people who will then not be using a car, which translates into less cars and less traffic. Getting rid of bike lanes will only increase congestion. This needs to be done in parallel to improvements to public transportation options, including subways, streetcars and buses. I have seen the development plans for the neighbourhood in the west end of Toronto, and more lanes for cars is not going to solve the massive influx of people planned to arrive there, let alone our current day congestion problem. Its critical people are safe to walk and bike, especially being mindful of kids and seniors. And when you listen to people in the community, this is what separated bike lanes are doing, acting as buffers between the cars and people walking streets, particularly busy streets like Bloor, Yonge and University. As a parent, someone who also drives around Toronto, I want more of these separated bike lanes, not less. Cities around the world are doing this and it’s working, even in places you might not expect like Texas. Please reconsider this, arguably overreaching, Bill and let cities do what the people who live in them want. And bigger cities want separated bike lanes, as well as more and better public transportation to get around, so we can leave the streets to those who really need it.