I am a long-time resident of…

I am a long-time resident of Toronto and a car driver, a cyclist, a pedestrian and a user of public transit. As a cyclist, I was hit by a car and sustained serious injuries while biking in an UNprotected bike lane. I continue to cycle regularly despite this, so I am particularly concerned about the proposed removal of any protected bike lanes, especially those on major arteries such as Bloor, University and Yonge streets. Research from many jurisdictions, including Toronto, shows that protected bicycle lanes reduce the risk of motor vehicle trauma for pedestrians and cyclists. Bicycle lanes benefit all road users; it is much preferable to prevent motor vehicle trauma than to try to treat it.

I strongly oppose the recent proposed Ontario legislation, Bill 212, that limits the ability of municipalities and cities to plan transportation networks that benefit ALL users, and to make their roads safer for their citizens. Years of research and planning by the City of Toronto has gone into the construction of bike lanes – with the end goal of creating coherent and comprehensive networks that encourage and enable more widespread and safer cycling in the city. I personally know of many more people who have started or resumed cycling since the Bloor bike lanes have been installed. The bike share program is exponentially more popular since riders’ safe route options have increased.

Like many, I too am concerned about traffic congestion, but traffic congestion was a problem well before protected bike lanes came into being, and will continue to be a problem unless all levels of government take a multi-pronged approach to address it. We need MORE tourists and residents cycling, not fewer – so that there are fewer cars on the roads. We need to encourage car pooling and institute congestion charges – but most importantly of all, we need the provincial government to provide significant and ongoing financial support for the operation of public transportation systems in the major municipalities – not just capital projects. Improving public transportation in Toronto in particular – making it more reliable, frequent, comprehensive and cheaper – is what would REALLY make a difference to traffic congestion. This is what all urban planning evidence and experience in many jurisdictions has shown.

Bill 212 is not evidence-based and will not achieve even its stated goals, certainly not in the medium or long terms. It is political whimsy and pandering. As a taxpayer I am appalled at the proposed use of my tax dollars to rip out protected bike lanes which have made streets safer for all. Our tax dollars should be applied towards improving the TTC instead, and drafting legislation which binds the provincial government to properly funding public transit, including the TTC. Now THAT would be a legacy Premier Ford could be proud of.