Comment - "I say No to Bill…

Comment - "I say No to Bill 60"
I do not support sweeping provincial government bill that effectively prohibits municipalities from developing any new bike lanes on existing roads by prohibiting any reduction in vehicle lanes.
We need to enable cities to build for the future with safe transit corridors for multiple user types - bikes, scooters, and cars - and allow cities to work with their residents to determine what the residents of the city want for their city.
I am at times a pedestrian, at times a cyclist, and at times a driver. 
There is no question, the creation over time in Toronto of a rich network of cycle paths made cycling safer for me. I can ride comfortably in my lane knowing a driver cannot drive within a foot of me at high speed as they squeeze past another car - and yes, I have been grazed by a car. nor need a worry about a driver of a parked car opening their door in my face sending me off my bike.  Bike lanes are a safer ride!
I also support the cycling network as a driver. Clear lanes create clear paths for both vehicle types. 
RE the government's Impact statement: "As all that is required of municipalities is to align new bicycle lane plans ...". If cities are to be prohibited from reducing vehicle lanes unless presumably they are building a brand new road [in which case there would be no pre-existing number of vehicle lanes so no lane count to reduce only lanes to add] - then for established neighbourhoods this effectively leaves cities the sole option of reducing parking lanes. Well perhaps that option would encourage people to get on public transit and that would reduce congestion. 
The government's suggestion that this legislation will reduce congestion is disingenuous. I live in an area in which the main road - The Danforth - has been completely redesigned to support larger restaurant patios, bike lanes, parking, and roadway for cars. Traffic moves smoothly, everyone is in their lane and the strip is an active hub of local business. 
The proposed legislation does not "create new capacity" as claimed by the Impact statement quoted below it confines us to a a single view of our world in a single time by prohibiting the engagement of our imagination and encouraging dialogue between municipal governments and residents for how we want to structure our cities a short-sighted approach to urban planning at best. 
Legislative AmendmentsSchedule 5 of Bill 60 proposes amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) that would prohibit municipalities from reducing motor vehicle lanes when installing, implementing or marking new bicycle lanes.
Regulatory ImpactAs all that is required of municipalities is to align new bicycle lane plans with the legislative requirements, with no further regulatory burdens, compliance costs are not quantifiable at this time.Environmental ImplicationsThe proposed changes are intended to keep people and goods moving by creating more capacity on roads for vehicles and drivers. Traffic and congestion are a major source of air pollution especially in urban areas.Additional environmental implications will be considered as proposed regulations are developed.