As an avid cyclist that…

As an avid cyclist that cycles over 10,000 km annually for the past 15 years, most of these within the GTA area, I have a strong desire to achieve safe cycling outcomes while respecting the needs of motorists. I reside at St Clair and Yonge, and the increase in road traffic congestion over the past 4 years, due to the installation of bike lanes and roadside dining by restaurant patrons, has been undesirable and unnecessary. Alternate cycling paths exist and need to be promoted, instead on taking away lanes or major through-fares. For example, Russell Hill Road and Poplar Plain Road, Bayview extension, Spadina, and many other roads have adequate bike lanes. Not every road needs a bike lane. Nor should any of the bike lanes include the installation of physical barriers. These barriers become road hazards, for both cyclist and motorists. The road barriers are expensive to install and maintain, with dubious benefit. A clearly demarcated bike path along the curb is sufficient. Cycling is clearly not for everyone, as some do not feel safe in close proximity to cars. These cyclists should take training courses or find “safer” modes of transport. To ask every road user to put up with unreasonable traffic delays to address the needs of less capable cyclists is grossly unfair. Not should the citizens tax dollars be spent on this over the top infrastructure. Please remove all unnecessary bike lanes and associated road hazards, while guiding bike road users to safe bike lanes along side streets or wide roads with sufficient space. Thank you.