I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed bill that would prohibit municipalities from reducing motor vehicle traffic lanes when installing, implementing, or marking new bicycle lanes. This legislation undermines local decision-making, disregards modern transportation planning principles, and threatens the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of communities across Ontario.

Municipalities—not the provincial government—are best positioned to understand the needs of their streets, their residents, and their transportation networks. Cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and many others are actively working to build safer, more efficient, and more inclusive multimodal systems. This bill would block them from using proven tools that improve safety and mobility for everyone—not just drivers.

Why this bill is harmful:
1. It prioritizes cars over people.

Transportation policy must focus on moving people efficiently—not just moving motor vehicles. Restricting bike lane design in order to maintain car lanes ignores the reality that Ontarians travel in many ways: by transit, on foot, by bike, mobility device, or car. A healthy transportation system gives people real choices.

2. It compromises road safety.

Protected bike lanes often require reallocating road width from motor vehicles—because that is what makes them safe. Preventing municipalities from using this tool will result in more collisions, injuries, and fatalities for cyclists and potentially pedestrians. No responsible government should block safety interventions that are proven to save lives.

3. It undermines climate and public health goals.

If Ontario is serious about reducing emissions, encouraging active transportation is essential. Cycling infrastructure is one of the most cost-effective climate tools we have. Removing or blocking bike lanes runs directly counter to provincial and municipal climate strategies.

4. It worsens congestion rather than improving it.

Decades of evidence show that adding or preserving motor vehicle lanes does not reduce congestion; it induces more driving. Streets that support walking, cycling, and transit move more people in the same amount of space. This bill would trap municipalities in outdated, car-dependent planning practices that have repeatedly failed to solve traffic issues.

5. It strips local governments of the ability to design streets that work for their communities.

Urban, suburban, and rural areas all have different needs. A one-size-fits-all provincial ban on road reallocation is both inefficient and inappropriate. Local governments must retain the ability to design safe, functional streets based on actual community context, evidence, and consultation.

In summary

This bill attempts to solve a transportation challenge with a 1950s approach—by prioritizing car lanes at the expense of modern, multimodal planning. It disregards expert evidence, local autonomy, and the safety of road users who are not in cars. Ontarians deserve transportation networks that are safe, sustainable, and future-focused. This bill does the opposite.

I urge the provincial government to withdraw this legislation and allow municipalities to continue designing streets that meet the needs of all their residents—not just drivers.