As small business owner with…

As small business owner with 10 employees, I can attest to the importance of safe, separated bike lanes on major streets to our ability to attract and retain highly skilled staff. As Architects working in the sustainability sector we are in a highly competitive field for skilled talent.

We recently looked for a new office and our choice was based in large part on the ease of getting to work for our staff, who being predominately under 40 years old and living in the GTA tend not to drive private cars. We chose our new office because it IS on a major street (Danforth AVe) with dedicated bike lanes, public transit - the subway - and also decent parking options nearby.

Congestion on the roads impacts our business everyday as we conduct a lot of site visits during construction as well as off-site meetings. Whenever possible, I and much of my staff choose to ride bikes because they are faster and more predictable than driving, and as a bonus healthier too.

I have found that contrary t0 the premise of this act that roads like Danforth Ave with dedicated bike lanes are actually faster to drive on than QUeen ST or Eastern Ave, neither of which has bike lanes.

If the province wishes to get serious about reducing congestion in the GTA, lest get the Eglinton crosstown, Finch LRT and Ontario lines built. It is a pathetic joke that Metrolinx has taken 14 years to build the crosstown LRT and is still not done. SO much for the idea that we couldn’t afford the time and money to have built a proper subway on Eglinton!

Premier Ford, please focus on what the province should be doing and get Metrolinx house in order and finish the LRT. Let municipalities mind their own business and leave our bike lanes alone!