Doug Ford makes several exaggerated claims about Toronto bike lanes

Ontario Premier Doug Ford made several claims about bike lanes in Toronto, including that they slow down emergency responders and cause traffic congestion. However, these statements have been debunked by the city. The city clarified that emergency services are accustomed to navigating various road conditions and that their response times have not been significantly impacted by bike lanes. Ford also claimed that bike lanes were installed on secondary streets, but the city s data shows that the number of bikeways installed under Ford s tenure was lower than during David Miller s time as mayor. Additionally, a petition in Etobicoke called for a re-evaluation of bike lanes on Bloor Street, expressing concerns about traffic flow and the limited number of cyclists using the lanes. However, a survey by a biking advocacy group found an increase in cyclists at the intersection. Overall, the city s response to Ford s claims indicates that bike lanes have not caused significant issues for emergency services or traffic congestion. The debate over bike lanes in Toronto continues, with the Ontario government considering legislation that could restrict their installation when motor vehicle lanes are removed.

Source: cbc.ca
Published on 2024-09-25