Gigi On Earth

The recent decision by Ontario’s government to introduce legislation that would require provincial approval to install new bike lanes in any Ontario municipality and prohibit new separated lanes if it takes away vehicle traffic lanes has left many of us feeling frustrated and disappointed. It raises concerns about safety, community health, and the province stepping into city affairs. But beyond that, it just feels out of touch with what people truly want and need.

For me, the most troubling part of this decision is how it reflects the eco-anxiety I feel living in Canada. Bike lanes are one of the simplest, most affordable ways to reduce car use. They don’t require major infrastructure changes—sometimes all it takes is some cement to create a protected lane. And time and again, we’ve seen that protected bike lanes increase the number of cyclists, especially among women and children who feel safer on the roads.

Targeting bike lanes feels incredibly short-sighted. It makes me wonder—if we can’t even imagine a future with fewer cars, what kind of future are we planning for?

I also feel like Canada struggles with communicating its approach to the climate crisis. After spending time researching online, I’m still unclear on what the federal or provincial plan is to keep us within 1.5 degrees of warming. Which industries need to adapt? Which actions will have the greatest impact? Without this clarity, it’s hard to understand how we’re addressing the crisis—or if we’re even on the right track. But one thing is clear: bike lanes are part of the solution. 

In my opinion, any decision that makes it harder for us to meet the Paris Agreement goals should be a non-starter. It feels like we’re nearing a tipping point when it comes to preserving a livable planet, and taking away bike lanes just doesn’t make sense in that context.