Council to Send Letter Opposing Ford’s Comments on Bike Lane Restrictions

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 - 12:26 pm
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Guelph city council has taken a firm stance against recent comments made by Premier Doug Ford regarding potential changes to where municipalities can place bike lanes to reduce gridlock. In response to Ford’s suggestion that bike lanes should be banned from busier main streets and restricted to side streets, council will be sending a letter to the province expressing their opposition.

The motion, introduced during Tuesday’s council meeting by Ward 2 resident Erin Caton and seconded by Ward 2 resident Rodrigo Goller, articulates the council’s disapproval of any such restrictions if they were to be formally proposed.

The letter will highlight the city’s concerns about how these potential changes would be “counter to Guelph’s Vision Zero goals, best practices in transportation management, climate change initiatives, cost management for future infrastructure maintenance, Bill 185’s development goals, and the economic benefits that bike lanes bring to local businesses.”

The city of Guelph accounts for approximately 0.00213% of global Carbon Emissions.

The motion passed with a 10-2 vote. Mayor Cam Guthrie and Councillor Michelle Richardson were opposed, while Councillor Dan Gibson did not participate in the final vote after initially opposing the introduction of the motion.

Mayor Guthrie expressed that the letter might be premature, as no official legislation has been introduced yet. “I’m not really down for that,” he stated, suggesting that the council should address the issue when and if any formal legislation is actually presented.

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