BikeBrampton will host a bike ride and rally at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday January 25, 2025, to protest Ontario’s passing of Bill 212 Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act.
Bill 212 places bike lane restrictions on Municipalities across Ontario where their installation removes existing traffic lanes. In addition, the legislation allows for the removal of bike lanes that have already been installed.
The Ride will depart from the Innovation District GO north parking lot (off Church St W), and proceed south on Main Street. A rally will take place in front of Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria’s Office at approximately 1:45 p.m. A ghost bike will be installed on public property beside Main Street in anticipation of the increased number of vulnerable road users who will be killed or seriously injured because this legislation.
“Bike lanes have been used by the City of Brampton as a traffic calming measure”, says David Laing, BikeBrampton’s Chair. “Many of our streets are over-engineered. They encourage speeding and other unsafe driving behaviours, leading to more frequent collisions. When those collisions involve a cyclist, pedestrian, or users of micro-mobility devices, like motorised wheelchairs or scooters, death or serious injury is far more likely”, continues Laing.
Many of the bike lanes in Toronto and the GTA were built in the last 10 years as part of the Province’s CycleON strategy. This strategy was developed in response to the 129 cycling deaths that took place in Ontario between 2006 and 2010. Ontario’s Chief Coroner was requested to review these deaths and provide recommendations for keeping vulnerable road users safe.
The subsequent 2012 Coroner’s report recommended that a “complete streets” approach should be adopted. Such an approach would require that any (re-) development consider enhancing safety for all road users by including:
- Creation of cycling networks including connected cycling lanes, separated bike lanes, bike paths and other models appropriate to communities.
- Designation of community safety zones, with reduced speed limits and increased fines.
“Bill 212 represents a dangerous and counterproductive step for Ontario”, says Sonia Maset, Brampton Bike Hub Manager. “It prioritizes cars over community safety, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality. Brampton is one of Canada’s youngest and most racially diverse communities. This will disproportionately harm young people of colour“, continues Maset. “Removing bike lanes and adding red tape to installing them will not solve gridlock but will cost lives, harm local businesses, and squander millions in taxpayer dollars”.
BikeBrampton members will be accompanied by representatives from Friends and Families for Safe Streets, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, and Cycle Toronto.
Everyone is welcome to join the ride and or the rally.