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I stand in full support of 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 at the forefront of future public consultations and planning for 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 that these decisions are made in the best interests of everyone.

2. Moratorium on New Bike Lane

A temporary halt on new bike lane installations is critical until a fair, equitable decision-making process is established. Right now, ill-conceived bike lanes are worsening congestion and creating safety hazards. It’s a fact: Toronto is now ranked the 3rd most congested city in North America and 7th in the world—outranking even New York City (Global Traffic Score Card, 2023). We must act now to prevent further harm.

3. Public Opinion is Clear: Bike Lanes Are Failing Us

A large portion of Toronto’s 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 most residents (66%) support bike lanes, they’re demanding solutions that don’t interfere with their daily commutes (Navigator Discovery Poll 2023). We cannot ignore this overwhelming public sentiment.

4. Emergency Response Times Are Suffering

Bike lanes, especially on busy four-lane roads reduced to two lanes, are causing dangerous delays for emergency vehicles. This is putting lives at risk. When an ambulance, fire truck, or police vehicle cannot navigate through traffic because of ill-planned bike lanes, the safety of every citizen is compromised. This is unacceptable.

5. End the Bias in Data Collection

Municipalities like Toronto have been collecting skewed data on bike lane usage—selectively monitoring only during favorable weather conditions. We need consistent, year-round data that paints a true picture of bike lane impact. The current method is not only misleading but unfair to all residents and has led to misguided decisions.

6. Business Owners and Homeowners are Suffering

Poorly considered bike lanes are damaging local businesses and disrupting residential areas. Shockingly, there are currently no clear, standardized metrics in place to approve or install permanent bike lanes on arterial roads. This lack of foresight is harming our communities.

7. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Must Take Control

Data collection and analysis cannot be delegated to municipalities that have mishandled the situation so far. 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. So too does the well-being of our neighbourhoods, businesses, and city infrastructure.

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

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

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