LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bike lanes lead to safety for cyclists and drivers

Dear Editor,

As with all of Mr. Zwaagstra’s articles, I read his recent column opposing protected bike lanes with great interest, but I must disagree with both its conclusions and its claims.

The author suggested that bike lanes impede traffic and cause more accidents. Decades of research says the opposite. A 2019 study in Toronto found that the implementation of cycle tracks increased bicycle use by 2.57 times while reducing relative collision rates by 38 percent. There was also a noticeable reduction in collision rates on the surrounding streets, suggesting an area-wide safety effect.

Similarly, a 2019 University of Colorado Denver study of major U.S. cities over 13 years found that streets with newly implemented protected bike lanes had on average a 37 percent reduction in traffic fatalities for all road users.

The notion that bike lanes are a recreational luxury misses the point. They are safety infrastructure, just like guardrails or crosswalks. When designed well and implemented properly, they protect vulnerable road users, reduce conflict between cars and bikes, and ultimately make the streets safer for everyone. And yes, even in winter cities such as ours, there are bicycle users that will brave the snow for their daily commute.

The real measure of traffic flow should be how safely and efficiently we move people, not just cars. Every cyclist who feels safe enough to ride instead of drive frees up road space and reduces congestion in the long run. When governments remove proven safety measures, they put lives at greater risk.

Without judicial oversight, nothing would prevent governments from disregarding Charter rights whenever it suits the political majority. Ensuring the safety of all road users, whether through city planning or, when necessary, through the courts, should not be mistaken for judicial activism. The right to return home safely belongs to everyone, whether you drive, walk, or ride a bike.

Chris Krahn

Steinbach, MB