Investing in a Sustainable,…

Investing in a Sustainable, Safe, and Vibrant Toronto: The Case for Retaining Bike Lanes

As someone who grew up in the Netherlands, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact a robust cycling infrastructure can have on a city. In the Netherlands, cycling is more than a mode of transportation; it is a way of life that fosters independence, reduces congestion, and improves quality of life. At just 11 years old, I could cycle independently throughout my city, an experience that shaped my confidence and mobility. This same potential exists for Toronto, and it has been heartening to see bike lanes encouraging parents in my neighborhood to cycle with their children to school. However, these gains are now under threat, as the Ontario government proposes to remove existing bike lanes—a step backward that would undermine Toronto’s progress toward a safer, more sustainable urban environment.

The stakes of this decision are personal for me. My former PhD supervisor died in a tragic cycling accident on Avenue Road in 2006 while on his way to the University of Toronto. His death was preventable; it was a direct consequence of inadequate cycling infrastructure. For years after that accident, my wife and I stopped cycling altogether, even though we had been year-round cyclists who relied on bikes for everything from commuting to grocery shopping. The lack of protected bike lanes made cycling unsafe, and we, like many others, turned to cars for our daily transportation needs.

The recent installation of protected bike lanes in Toronto has changed everything for me. These lanes have given me the confidence to return to cycling, replacing many trips I would have otherwise made by car. Whether I’m commuting to lectures at the University, running errands, or picking up food from restaurants, cycling has become a viable and often faster alternative. More importantly, protected bike lanes have allowed me to share this activity with my special needs son. At 14 years old, he cannot cycle independently, but with the help of a bicycle trailer, we now enjoy safe rides to the lake, the Martin Goodman Trail, and even Tommy Thompson Park. These bike lanes have opened up parts of the city we would never have visited by car.

As Toronto grows denser, accommodating an ever-increasing number of cars is simply not sustainable. Streets have finite capacity, and reverting to a car-centric model will only lead to more congestion, more emissions, and less livable neighborhoods. While removing bike lanes may provide temporary relief to drivers frustrated by traffic, it is not a long-term solution. Experience shows that car traffic behaves like water: drivers will simply reroute to streets like Bloor or others, quickly negating any perceived gains. Meanwhile, as new condos rise along major corridors, thousands of new residents will add to the strain. Without alternatives like cycling, the result will be gridlock.

Building a cycling culture takes time, but the benefits are clear. In the Netherlands, safe and accessible bike infrastructure has replaced countless car trips, creating vibrant cities where cycling, walking, and public transportation seamlessly coexist with driving. This is not about eliminating cars but about providing choices. Each trip I make involves a decision: Is driving, walking, public transit, or cycling the best option? Increasingly, the answer is cycling—not only because it is often the fastest but because it is healthier, more sustainable, and less stressful.

Removing bike lanes would be a grave mistake, undoing years of progress and sending the message that safety and sustainability are not priorities. Instead, we need to focus on moving people and goods, not just cars and trucks. Bike lanes make cycling an option for many who would otherwise drive, reducing congestion and emissions while improving mobility for everyone—including drivers.

Mr. Ford, I implore you to reconsider this proposal. Toronto has already crossed the threshold where car-centric policies are no longer viable in the city’s core. Protected bike lanes are an investment in a better future—a future where people can move safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Please do not take this step backward. Instead, let us continue building a Toronto that works for everyone.