Bike lanes are part of a healthy, safe, and equitable Toronto
December 27, 2024
By Marvin Macaraig, Ph.D., Health Promoter, Bike Hub Coordinator, Access Alliance
How we incubate and build a culture of cycling
Over the past decade Toronto has seen a steady increase in the number of people cycling everyday, and has remarkably expanded and improved the cycling network downtown, but progress has been slow in its inner suburbs, like Scarborough.
In our Building Bike Culture Beyond Downtown (2019) report, we identified a ‘suburban dilemma’ where residents are hesitant to try cycling for everyday trips because many suburban roads are purposely designed to move cars as efficiently as possible, with very little consideration given to the safety of those walking and cycling. This results in low suburban cycling numbers, and it becomes a challenge for elected officials to support future bike lane plans.
Although community health centres like Access Alliance cannot pass laws or build the infrastructure we need ourselves, we can instead focus on addressing and removing the other barriers faced by residents.
Programs such as our Drop-In Bike Repair, Hijabs and Helmets, Learn-to-Ride, and Take Our Seniors Out showcase what can be done by bike. We foster a community where people can learn from each other and build strong supportive social networks. The more people riding, the safer it feels. Bringing people together helps us all work together to create a healthier, equitable, and a more prosperous Toronto.
Progress comes with speedbumps
The province’s plan to remove specific bike lanes in Toronto has been met with widespread criticism.
Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, will require cities to obtain the Transportation Minister’s approval before construction of new bike lanes that result in the removal of a car lane. Doing so inhibits the ability of cities and towns to create and implement community safety plans that consider the needs of all road users while emphasizing the safety of vulnerable road users. (i.e., people cycling/walking, young children, the elderly, or those who require accessibility devices or use strollers etc.)
Opposition to the Bill has come from all corners of civil society, including doctors, urban planners, transportation engineers, municipalities, pedestrian and bicycle practitioners, cycling advocates, community researchers, gender advocates, environmental organizations, and many other road safety advocates/groups.
Mounting research and evidence in cities illustrates how bike lanes are a key tool to reducing congestion and are good for local business. Removing bike lanes on sections of Bloor St. W., University Ave., and Yonge St. will cost millions and will not reduce congestion on a city-wide scale.
Proven solutions to reduce congestion include:
- Investing in public transit.
- Building robust active transportation networks that remove barriers and encourage residents from walking and cycling more.
- Automated tolls/congestion charges and enforcement.
- Reforming the licensing/demerit point system in Ontario.
- Public education and leadership from elected officials.
As a Health Promoter, my community work is informed by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986), which identified the critical social, political, economic, and environmental prerequisites needed for building a healthy equitable society.
How people get around is influenced by our transportation policies, and these policies directly impact the health of individuals and entire communities. This new law overrules local decision-making, sidesteps equity, and does very little to improve community safety, by making our roads more dangerous for those walking and cycling.
Dr. Marvin Macaraig being interviewed about Bill 212 on CTV National News and CBC News Network.
Action you can take
The Danforth-Kingston Complete Street Extension is a critical project that will connect several communities in Scarborough to Toronto’s transportation network. It is a once in 25-year opportunity to implement a complete street approach that will include road safety improvements such as protected bike lanes, transit priority lanes, and streetscaping upgrades. Like similar projects already implemented in Toronto, it will bring much needed economic revitalization opportunities and improve safety for all road users.
Bill 212 was just passed in November. There are still many unknowns including when the province will act to remove bike lanes in Toronto, and how the law will affect existing and on-going projects.
Take a moment to show your support for creating a healthier city by adding your name to the Danforth-Kingston 4 All petition.