Around 2019, the city of Toronto implemented bike lanes along Scarlett Road. The lanes span from Edenbridge Dr. to St. Claire Ave., and use concrete barriers to separate them from regular traffic. 

Since these bike lanes have been implemented, two lanes of traffic have been eliminated, therefore causing immense and unnecessary traffic on Scarlett Rd. Not only is this a nuisance to local commuters, but it is a public safety hazard as well. In the event of an emergency vehicle needing to bypass traffic, these bike lanes make the road far too narrow for an emergency vehicle to safely do so. 

Furthermore, there have been multiple incidents where vehicles have crashed into or gotten stuck on top of the concrete barriers which are used for the bike lanes. Of course this can be attributed to driver error, however there is no doubt that without these concrete barriers, these accidents can be easily avoided. Moreover, in the event that a vehicle not only hops one of these concrete barriers but flips as well, and causes the driver serious injury, who is at fault? The driver? Or the city and poor planning on its behalf? 

These bike lanes are seldom used, which prompts the question: why were these bike lanes implemented in the first place? The neighbourhood's demographic is much older and simply does not warrant bike lanes. From what I understand, there was no request for these bike lanes, as if there were, maybe I would see more people using them. During my morning commute, or my drive home in the evening, I see lineups upon lineups of cars and zero bikes in sight. Why would the city put our tax dollars towards something that serves zero purpose?

All in all, I am hoping Mayor Olivia Chow reconsiders the purpose and safety of the bike lanes on Scarlett Rd. and instead chooses to put our hard earned tax dollars on something worthwhile and beneficial to the neighbourhood. Please sign and share if you agree! Put an end to the unused bike lanes.