Windsor cycling advocates slam Ford government’s proposed bike lane bill [Video]

The Ontario government says it’s making “life easier for drivers” with newly proposed legislation that will require municipalities to get provincial approval for bike lanes that would remove a lane of vehicle traffic.

The announcement, made by Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria on Tuesday, has cycling advocates and urbanists up in arms.

“It’s such a huge reach from a government that was going to minimize red tape, interfere less with municipalities, and yet here we are,” said Lori Newton, the executive director of Bike Windsor-Essex.

A news release from the province paints the proposed changes, set to be introduced during the fall sitting of the provincial legislature next week, as a set of measures focused on “tackling gridlock” for drivers and commuters across Ontario.

Newton argues the province has missed the mark if improving traffic flow is the aim.

“They’re suggesting that bike lanes are part of the problem when we know the opposite …