Comments applicable to…

Comments applicable to removal of bike lanes in Toronto; interference in local jurisdiction's ability to build complete streets; building of Highway 413.

LAND USE

Car dependent suburbs constitute urban sprawl. The massive amount of space in the suburbs devoted to moving cars around and parking them is an insanely short-sighted waste of valuable land. Movement of substantial numbers of people by efficient, attractive public transportation is essential. Free up road space for use by necessary vehicles by providing alternatives. Correct the 20thC North American bias against transit and cycling as second-class options - it is killing us.

POLLUTION

Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution . Research has demonstrated increased adverse health consequences for people living near highways and arterial roads (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-li…) EVs would reduce some of this, eventually, but particulate matter from tire and brake wear is also significant. For reasons relating to health, both individually and as an expense borne by society, the province should be protecting the personal safety of vulnerable road users including cyclists and those using mobility devices, and facilitating infrastructure that promotes healthy ways of life and urban development that permits active transportation.

HEALTH

Provincial bodies have endorsed Vision Zero (eg Ontario Traffic Council) - why does the province itself value movement of vehicles over the safety and health of Ontarians?

Bicycles are a quick, efficient and cheap way to get around the city. Cars are expensive, take up a lot of space and lead to stress and a sedentary life. Why discourage bikes and encourage cars?

RED TAPE

There is a discrepancy between the province's stated objective of reducing red tape and their proposed expensive and time consuming bureaucratic interference in matters of local jurisdiction over the building of complete streets.

Toronto in the 20thC widened roads at the expense of pedestrian infrastructure and green space. Now the province is proposing to widen roads by removing bicycle infrastructure. The result will be what it has always been, more cars on the road until a pain point is reached. In the process many lives will be endangered, many people forced into cars or onto already crowded and inadequate transit. The people of Ontario will be the losers.

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