This proposal is…

This proposal is undemocratic and unjust, stripping cities of the ability to make decisions they are best placed to make and local residents of the right to have a say in our community infrastructure. Bike lanes are an imperative part of city infrastructure, they improve road safety, decrease pollution, and help alleviate traffic congestion.

In my previous job, I was a daily commuter for almost a decade and bike lanes my commute possible - without them, I would not have felt safe biking to and from downtown, especially during rush hour, and I would’ve used a different form of transportation. Now, I still bike regularly to get around and bike lanes continue to be vital. I live on the Danforth and if there were no protected bike lanes on Bloor/Danforth, I would absolutely not feel safe biking on that road. Having the bike lanes opens the entire city to me, as a cyclist.

Our city roads are LOCAL and decisions about them should be made by LOCAL residents and the municipal representatives that we elect - not provincial MPPs who are not in our community day to day. The provincial government has many important roles to play, but this proposal is a massive overreach and will make our neighbourhoods and roads more dangerous from people using any means of transportation.

What’s more, the wording is so broad that it wouldn’t limit provincial interference to only bike lanes - this proposal would enable the province to interfere with the addition of bus priority lanes, patios, school streets, or other road improvements, even if they’re evidence based and local residents want them. I want my municipal representatives to continue to have the power to make decisions about how to use local roads, in response to local community needs. I don’t want or need the province to take that on.

Ultimately, this proposal is undemocratic and does not serve the interests of city residents. It must not be allowed to go through.