A Statement from St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens on Ontario’s Proposed Bike Lane Legislation
Posted October 16th, 2024 on Niagara At Large
St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens
St. Catharines, ON – MPP Jennie Stevens voiced strong opposition to the Ontario government’s newly proposed legislation that would force municipalities to seek approval from the province before replacing traffic lanes with bike lanes on municipal streets.
The legislation, expected to be tabled later this month, would limit municipalities’ ability to make their own decisions and implement bike lanes on main thoroughfares, even when cities have identified that doing so would promote active transportation and reduce traffic congestion locally.
“This proposal is yet another example of the province overreaching into decisions that should be left up to municipal governments and planning departments,” said Stevens.
“Local governments know their communities best and they are the ones that should be deciding where bike lanes go—not Queen’s Park. The province’s interference not only undermines local decision-making but also puts cyclists at greater risk. The premier is confused on his role here and needs to keep his hands out of municipal decisions.”
Stevens emphasized that communities like St. Catharines are working to build safer, more sustainable transportation systems and have made every effort to incorporate bike lanes where it’s been identified as safe to do so. Restricting bike lanes will hinder progress on these efforts.
The proposed legislation comes as Ontario experiences increased traffic congestion, particularly in Toronto, where cycling advocates have called for more bike-friendly infrastructure to protect cyclists and reduce fatalities. However, the provincial government argues that bike lanes exacerbate gridlock, a claim that has been contested by local officials and safety experts.
“This isn’t about improving traffic flow. It’s about political optics and the Premier has bigger issues to worry about. Municipalities deserve the freedom to make the right choices for their residents without unnecessary provincial interference,” Stevens added.
For a Niagara At Large commentary on Ontario’s Ford government considering the idea of banning new bike lanes on roads across the province, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2024/09/27/doug-fords-war-on-bike-lanes-is-exactly-as-dumb-as-it-sounds/
For another related commentary, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2024/10/15/never-mind-banning-bike-lanes-what-about-all-those-monster-pick-up-trucks-on-our-roads/
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