I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed amendment under Bill 60 that would prohibit municipalities from reducing motor vehicle traffic lanes when installing new bicycle lanes.

Key concerns
1. Safety for all road users – Prioritizing only motor vehicles ignores the reality that children, families, older adults and other vulnerable road users rely on safe, separated infrastructure for cycling. Removing the ability to reduce vehicle lanes severely constrains the ability of municipalities to implement safe, effective bike lanes.
2. Environment and public health – Encouraging active transportation (cycling, walking) reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers air pollution, improves public health and reduces traffic congestion in the long run. A legislative prohibition on vehicle-lane reduction undermines the capacity to build such infrastructure.
3. Equity and accessibility – Not everyone can or wants to drive. Many Ontarians rely on cycling or micromobility for commuting, errands, or leisure. Municipalities must retain flexibility to redesign road space to reflect changing mobility needs — especially in urban and suburban neighbourhoods.
4. Modern transportation planning – The world is shifting. Cities are rethinking how roads are allocated. Flexibility in design is critical. A blanket ban on lane reduction sends a message that motor vehicles always take priority over other modes of transportation — a message at odds with climate goals and increasingly sustainable planning norms.
5. Local decision-making and context matters – Every road corridor is different. Councils, city engineers and local planners understand local traffic patterns, neighbourhood needs and opportunities to reallocate space. Imposing a top-down prohibition removes local agencies’ ability to innovate and respond to the needs of residents and the environment.

Suggestions / Recommendations
• Remove the proposed prohibition on reducing vehicle lanes when installing new bicycle lanes and instead allow municipalities to make context-sensitive decisions based on safety, modal share, local traffic, land-use and climate goals.
• Require clear criteria or guidelines for municipalities when they choose to reduce a vehicle lane (e.g., traffic studies, safety audits, community consultation) rather than banning the option entirely.
• Encourage the Ministry to support municipalities in monitoring and evaluating the impact of bicycle lane projects — including changes in vehicle traffic, cycling volumes, safety outcomes and emissions — so that evidence can guide future decision-making.
• Ensure that any legislative change aligns with the province’s climate change targets, active transportation strategy and vision for multimodal mobility that is safe, accessible and future-oriented.

Conclusion
While I understand and appreciate the stated objective of Bill 60 — namely reducing delays, building faster and maintaining traffic flow — I believe the proposed prohibition in ERO 025-1071 undermines important broader goals around safety, sustainability, equity and modern mobility. Municipalities must retain the flexibility to reduce vehicle lanes when installing new bicycle lanes when it makes sense. If this amendment passes as currently drafted, we risk locking in car-centric infrastructure, limiting options for safe active transportation, and sending a backward-looking message at a time when the mobility paradigm is rapidly evolving.

Thank you for considering my comments. I urge the Ministry to revisit this proposal, remove or substantially revise the prohibition, and enable municipalities to implement safe, sustainable, multimodal road designs for the benefit of all Ontarians.