Bike Lanes are More Than…

Bike Lanes are More Than Infrastructure
A Family's Perspective

A few times a week, I ride with my kids to school using protected bike lanes, which is a great start to the morning. These lanes aren't just painted lines on pavement; they're lifelines that allow families to choose active, healthy transportation. Without them, each short trip becomes a car journey, adding to traffic and reducing our connection to the community. When safe bike lanes exist, families bike to local shops, parks, and schools. When they don't, we drive – even for trips under a kilometre.

The Evidence is Clear: Bike Lanes Work

Safety Improvements
- 56% decrease in cyclist injuries on Bloor Street after bike lane installation
- Pedestrian injuries dropped from 13 to 5 per year
- Overall motorist injuries reduced by 27% [Source: Toronto City Council Report, 2024]

Increased Adoption
- Bike Share Toronto: 665,000 trips (2015) → 5.7 million trips (2023)
- 40-90% increase in cycling volume on protected routes
- 2.57 times more cyclists on streets with separated lanes [Source: CBC News: Do bike lanes really cause more traffic congestion? Here's what the research says, 2024]

Traffic Impact Myths Debunked
- Travel times actually decreased on Adelaide St. and University Ave.
- Minimal impact on other major routes
- Bike lanes can move more people using less space than car lanes [Source: Toronto Metropolitan University Study, 2024]

Broader Benefits
- 4% reduction in traffic congestion where bike sharing introduced (Washington DC study)
- 56% reduction in sidewalk cycling after protected lane installation
- Up to 52% reduction in pedestrian injuries (NYC protected bike lanes) [Source: People for Bikes, 2024]

Bill 212's
This legislation would:
- Force removal of crucial bike lanes
- Strip local communities of transportation planning control
- Ignore evidence-based safety benefits
- Push families back into cars for short trips

Why This Matters
Today's children will inherit the cities we design. When we remove bike lanes, we're not just removing infrastructure – we're removing choices. We're telling families that their safety matters less than saving a few minutes of driving time (which data shows isn't actually saved). We're forcing parents to choose between their children's independence and their safety.

Call to Action
The evidence is overwhelming: bike lanes make our communities safer, healthier, and more vibrant. Bill 212 isn't just about removing bike lanes – it's about removing our ability to build the kind of communities where children can grow up healthy and independent.
Before making changes that affect our communities' safety and future, we urge decision-makers to:

- Review the compelling safety data
- Consider the impact on families and communities
- Respect local decision-making
- Prioritize evidence over ideology

When I see children biking to school, I see the future of our cities. Let's not take a step backward. Keep our bike lanes. Keep our communities safe. Keep our future bright.