Hi I am a cyclist and a…

Hi I am a cyclist and a psychotherapist. I live in High Park. I started biking 2-3 years ago precisely because of more bike lanes and safety. I now bike regularly monthly to see friends, get groceries, drop of food for people. It is essential to my wellbeing. I also am a volunteer of a local community fridge (Community Fridge TO), and know they transport groceries to fridges by bike (Bike Brigade) . We need our city to make our decisions about bike lanes, so Doug you need to stop meddling with Bill 60. Your foolish bill
-strips cities of local authority and decision-making, even when projects are supported by evidence and local residents. Like me!
-It will worsen traffic congestion, not reduce it. The government’s own experts have consistently said that bike lanes are not a cause of gridlock. And other parts of the world actually found bike lanes to help congestion, you all need to believe in science.
-It will make roads more dangerous. Protected bike lanes prevent serious injuries and deaths for people biking, walking, and driving. If there were no bike lanes I would not bike!!
-It threatens other uses of road space that communities rely on, including transit priority, safe crossings, patios, curbside access, and school streets. Guess what, when there are bike lanes car slow down, it's safety for everyone who is not a car driver.
-It undermines climate goals and public health by locking cities into car-dependent street designs. Climate change is real. and we are getting wild fires and high intensity hurricanes. We need MORE bikelanes, not less!!!
-Biking has also been good for my health, and the health of our environment, by making the air cleaner with less cars on the road, and allow me to get exercise. As a health care professional I think we need more clean air and ease of transport and exercise opportunities for our city through bike lanes and ample sidewalks, not less.