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I fully support the Ontario government’s proposed legislation to overhaul the flawed approach to bike lane placement on our province’s busiest streets. It’s time for change—change that respects the needs of all road users, prioritizes safety, and is based on transparent, objective data.

The following recommendations must be central to future public consultations and planning for existing and future bike lane installations:

1. Data Transparency and Objectivity
Decisions about bike lane placement must be based on transparent, year-round data collection. We need accurate, unbiased information that justifies bike lane installations, ensuring these decisions are made in the best interests of everyone.

2. Immediate Review of Existing Bike Lanes on Arterial Streets
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) must apply objective data collection standards to evaluate the usage of existing bike lanes. A review process should be implemented in the spring of 2025, with the MTO overseeing the entire process, including the scope, criteria for review and approval, and data collection.

3. Moratorium on New Bike Lanes
A temporary halt on new bike lane installations is critical until a fair, equitable decision-making process is established. It is clear that ill-conceived bike lanes are worsening congestion and creating safety hazards. Toronto is now ranked the 3rd most congested city in North America and 7th in the world, even surpassing New York City (Global Traffic Score Card, 2023). Immediate action is needed to prevent further harm.

4. Public Opinion is Clear: Bike Lanes Are Failing Us
Many Toronto residents are feeling the negative impacts of poorly planned bike lanes. According to a recent poll, 84% of Torontonians want regular evaluations of bike lanes every 2-3 years, and 63% want them removed from major roads. While 66% support bike lanes in general, they demand solutions that don’t interfere with their daily commutes (Navigator Discovery Poll 2023). This public sentiment cannot be ignored.

5. Emergency Response Times Are Suffering
Bike lanes, especially on busy four-lane roads reduced to two lanes, are causing dangerous delays for emergency vehicles. Lives are at risk when ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars cannot navigate through traffic due to poorly planned bike lanes. This avoidable public safety risk is unacceptable.

6. End the Bias in Data Collection
Municipalities like Toronto have been collecting biased data on bike lane usage—selectively monitoring only during favorable weather conditions. We need consistent, year-round data that paints an accurate picture of bike lane impact. The current method is misleading and unfair, leading to misguided decisions.

7. Business Owners and Homeowners Are Suffering
Poorly considered bike lanes are harming local businesses and disrupting residential streets. Currently, there are no clear, standardized metrics for approving or installing permanent bike lanes on arterial roads. This lack of foresight is damaging to local communities.

8. The Ministry of Transportation Must Take Control
Data collection and analysis cannot be delegated to municipalities that have mishandled the situation. The MTO must lead with a clear, transparent methodology to determine where bike lanes should be placed, ensuring that all voices are heard.

It’s time for an open, fair, and objective approach to bike lane placement. The safety of cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and emergency responders depends on it, as does the well-being of our neighborhoods, businesses, and city infrastructure.

Time is of the essence. I urge the provincial government to act swiftly and decisively to implement this legislation and bring much-needed order to the congestion on our arterial streets.

Let’s make our roads safer and more efficient for everyone.