I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 60. This bill represents a troubling overreach by the provincial government that strips cities of their authority to make local, evidence-based transportation decisions; even when those decisions have the support of residents and clear data behind them.

Bill 60 will worsen traffic congestion, not reduce it. The government’s own experts have repeatedly confirmed that bike lanes do not cause gridlock. Removing or blocking safe cycling infrastructure does nothing to improve vehicle flow; it only forces more people into cars, making congestion worse for everyone.

This bill will also make our roads more dangerous. Protected bike lanes have been proven to prevent serious injuries and deaths for people biking, walking, and driving. By discouraging these designs, Bill 60 puts lives at risk.

Beyond safety, it threatens the many uses of our roads that communities rely on - including transit priority lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, patios, curbside access, and school streets. It undermines local efforts to make streets more functional and welcoming for everyone, not just drivers.

Bill 60 also locks cities into outdated, car-dependent designs, undermining Ontario’s climate goals and public health commitments. Encouraging more driving is the opposite of what we should be doing in the face of climate change and rising healthcare costs from inactivity and pollution.

This is not about being “pro-bike” or “anti-car.” It’s about evidence-based planning and local democracy. The facts are clear: bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion. Repeating the opposite over and over again does not make it true.

As someone who values safe, vibrant, and connected communities, where people can choose how they get around, I urge the government to withdraw Bill 60 and instead work collaboratively with cities to design transportation networks that serve everyone.