I am extremely opposed and…

I am extremely opposed and disappointed by the proposed Bill 60 - Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 – Modern Transportation – Prohibiting Vehicle Lane Reduction for New Bicycle Lanes.

It strips cities of local authority and decision-making, even when projects are supported by evidence and local residents. Local authorities should have the agency and the means to organize roadways based on the needs of their communities. If the community wants bike lanes, they should have them. Prohibiting even the option feels extremely authoritarian.

It will make roads more dangerous. Protected bike lanes prevent serious injuries and deaths for people biking, walking, and driving. As both a vehicle owner and a cyclist, I appreciate protected bike lanes. It makes me feel as though I am safely sharing the road as a vehicle driver, and as a cyclist I can ride without the anxiety of being clipped by a car making a right hand turn or moving too close to the sidewalk. Which has almost happened to me, and has happened to my husband twice while he was forced to bike on roads without protected bike lanes.

It undermines climate goals and public health by locking cities into car-dependent street designs. Why can't we design streets and communities that allow for multiple transportation options? Especially if providing those alternative options to driving personal cars means less cars on the road?

This bill is incredibly short-sited and I vehemently oppose it.