Hello, Regardless of what…

Hello,

Regardless of what the Province says, we know that traffic is caused mainly by cars. They are large and inefficient compared to public transit and bicycles. They also cost more to operate for individuals and pose a heavier economic burden for governments due to the required infrastructure to support them, as well as both direct and indirect healthcare costs.

We can mitigate traffic, save people money, reduce government expenditures and save lives by reducing our collective reliance on cars. This means that cities need the ability to remove car lanes if it means improvement to the overall transportation and economic health of cities in the long term.

Moreover, especially here in Toronto where the housing crisis is most intense, many new builds are reducing car parking spaces and increasing bike spaces. This is happening on Dupont, for example, where there are plans to add a bike lane. It doesn't make sense when cities are trying to densify (even at the province's behest) that we continue to rely on car infrastructure. As cities continue to grow, we can't keep inducing people to drive. We need other options.

This is in addition to the obvious dangers of cycling in busy cities like Toronto. We know that bike lanes induce biking but they also create safer streets. As a commuter cyclist, my life is often in danger every time I get on a bike. We need safer streets and that means the ability to build bike lanes, especially in dense areas.

Thank you,
Liam