I recently moved to Ottawa…

I recently moved to Ottawa because of the bike lane system. After living in Europe and being able to cycle and walk everywhere with many city center cores not allowing cars, cycling is a vital part of my lifestyle.

The bike lanes were central to our lifestyle of living sustainability.

Larger roads invite MORE cars and create more traffic, degrading the center city experience.

Sustainability is a crucial concern of mine; we must dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and cyclists do not create carbon emissions.

Obesity is a growing pandemic; the more we can encourage people to cycle, the more we fight obesity. People are scared to cycle next to cars; adding bike lanes and more people cycling will make them healthier and will make fewer demands on our health care services.

Let Ottawa and other municipalities decide for themselves. Capitals around the world are competing for tourist dollars; people love to cycle on vacation; it feels like an adventure. Each city has unique needs. Let us decide for ourselves.

The bike lanes are in place; removing them wastes taxpayers' money.

Local shops will suffer; if I cannot bike to them, I won't go.

E-bikes are changing the face of transportation. Without bike lanes, they will be on the roads; people have invested a fortune in these bikes and will continue using them. It will be unsafe for cyclists and drivers alike.

Cycling is fun and free. With all our economic pressures, let people use cycling to save money. It needs to be safe.

We have a mental health crisis; cycling supports mental health, being outdoors, joining others, and feeling connected rather than isolated in our cars; we need more, not fewer, bike lanes.

This issue is fundamental to me. It will decide how I vote.

Thank you.