As a tax-paying resident of London, ON, I, along with many others, am facing a new challenge that directly threatens my ease of living and the safety of our community at large. The proposed construction of bike lanes on our residential streets is a policy that would rob us of our right to park near our homes and endanger the lives of drivers and cyclists alike. By converting vital parking to bike lanes, we would be forced to park a distance away from our homes and walk in all conditions, which is not an ideal situation for seniors, families with young children and individuals with physical disabilities.

In addition, mixing motor traffic and bikers within such confined space as residential streets is unsafe for both parties involved. A national analysis showed that with an increase in streets with bike lanes, the danger to cyclists rose significantly, especially in densely populated residential areas (Government of Canada Road Safety statistics, 2019). It's not just bikers who are at risk. Motorists, too, are in danger from sudden collisions, which can lead to insurance complications and legal issues.

Through this petition, I am inviting the city authorities of London, ON, to review this decision. Are there better and safer places for our cycling enthusiasts? Of course there are! Utilizing parks, promenades, or purposely built spaces is a safer and accommodating solution that would not impose on the rights of residential taxpayers.

I urge all Londoners, how would you feel if your convenience and safety was threatened? Let us find a better solution for everyone: a solution that maintains residential parking privileges and ensures cyclist safety. This should not be a choice between drivers and bikers but a fight for the comfort and well-being of all. Please, let your voice be heard on this important matter. Sign and share this petition today. Let's steer the wheel of change together.