‘Nicely-designed bike lane networks are important to shifting all Ontarians safely, effectively, and affordably,’ writes the chair of the Guelph Coalition for Lively Transportation
GuelphToday obtained the next letter inspecting the obvious contradiction between housing affordability and restrictions on new biking lanes.
As Ontario continues to push ahead with insurance policies designed to handle housing affordability – such because the elimination of sure parking minimums – it’s each puzzling and counterproductive to see the Ontario authorities concurrently flirting with restrictions on the development of recent biking lanes.
Earlier this 12 months, the federal government handed Invoice 185 the “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act” which eliminated parking minimums for developments close to main transit stations, although the invoice explicitly permits bicycle parking necessities.
This laws was a transparent acknowledgement that not each Ontarian needs, or might be able to afford to personal a automotive, and that different types of mobility are important. But, by doubtlessly hindering the event of biking infrastructure, the federal government is leaving a important hole in its personal city planning logic.
Many new developments which are being constructed with out automotive parking are on, or close to main roads. How are all of those residents anticipated to navigate their environment with out protected biking infrastructure? If they’re pushed into driving, the added automotive journeys won’t work to alleviate site visitors. In the event that they cycle with out protected infrastructure, they’ll be doing so by placing themselves in danger. Nicely-designed bike lane networks are important to shifting all Ontarians safely, effectively, and affordably.
Lively transportation, together with biking, performs a significant function in decreasing transportation prices, and addressing the mobility wants of all residents. If Ontario is severe about creating reasonably priced, livable communities, it can not afford to restrict entry to protected biking infrastructure.
The federal government’s strategy not solely threatens to undermine its personal housing affordability technique, however is prone to exacerbate site visitors congestion – the very factor they’re making an attempt to handle. For Ontario’s housing and transportation insurance policies to succeed, they should be aligned and dealing in direction of a typical purpose of elevated affordability, and security for all Ontarians.
Adrian Salvatore
Chair, Guelph Coalition for Lively Transportation
