On June 23rd 2011, the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee voted to remove the bike lane on Jarvis Street without community consultation. This is a slap in the face to all Torontonians who believe in the democratic process. Bike lanes promote safety for both cyclists and other forms of traffic. The PWIC is discouraging healthy debate and attempting to silence the voices of the community.

If city council accepts these recommendations on July 12th and 13th, I will choose to ride my bicycle in the middle of the lane on Jarvis. While I believe that we can all share the road, I will no longer feel safe being squeezed to the right by larger vehicles. Barring community consultation, my only option in terms of protecting myself and expressing my views will be to exert my rights under the Highway Traffic Act to the fullest extent. Cyclists have every right to be in the centre of the lane and while I prefer using the shoulder when there is enough room, my primary concern is my safety.