The proposal to remove bike…

The proposal to remove bike lanes from University Avenue is short-sighted and poorly planned. Of all the Toronto bike lanes that are under review for removal, the University Avenue lanes are likely the most used - and at all times of the day and night. These lanes help hospital and university employees get to and from work, help delivery bikes get to their clients, and help improve the safety of other non-vehicle users. A narrower University Avenue helps slow traffic at times of the day when there are fewer cars present; prior to the addition of the bike lane, cars would more frequently speed down the street, ignore traffic stop lines - stopping in the crosswalk, and drive with disregard for pedestrian safety. Regarding the rerouting of the lane, something to consider is that there is no continuous secondary street that runs from Front Street to Bloor Street on which to reroute a protected lane. To promote safety for all who use the street, I urge the Ministry of Transportation to keep the existing bike lanes.