u/BikesBikesBikes66 — reddlx

I AM LIVID – Delegation to Council against Another Bike Lane Removal

Brampton Council has voted to remove bike infrastructure again — part of a growing pattern. The removals are accelerating, alongside a broader political environment increasingly hostile to active transportation.

In January, Council voted against staff recommendations and removed one of only three protected cycling corridors in Brampton: Howden Boulevard. Despite months of staff work, public consultation, surveys, and multiple compromise options, councillors rejected every alternative and restored the road to four traffic lanes — even though staff warned it would worsen safety and encourage speeding.

Yesterday, my message to Council was simple: I am livid. Livid that Brampton continues to prioritize free car storage and traffic capacity over safe transportation choices. Livid that decisions are being driven by hyperbole and motornormativity instead of evidence and endorsed plans. And livid that a 15-year-old cyclist understands the value of protected bike lanes better than many elected officials.

If residents who support cycling infrastructure stay silent, these removals will continue. Council repeatedly claims they only hear from angry drivers and “the same handful of cyclists.” That needs to change. The future of cycling in Brampton depends on people speaking up now.

If you appreciate Brampton’s cycling infrastructure please write to Council. I’ve included the email addresses in the linked blog along with links to my delegation and slides, and my speaking notes.

lisastokes.ca

u/BikesBikesBikes66 — 1 day ago

▲ 66 r/torontobiking

Lily Cheng Community Ride

More than 120 cyclists and three dogs joined Toronto Councillor Lily Cheng’s third community ride from Willowdale to the Port Lands. The 25 km route highlighted Toronto’s trails, cycling infrastructure, and gaps in safe connections, while bringing together riders of all ages for a welcoming day of advocacy, community, and unexpected weather.

lisastokes.ca

u/BikesBikesBikes66 — 6 days ago

▲ 26 r/Brampton

A couple weeks ago, I visited the former communist city Wroclaw in Poland. The population is 100,000 less than Brampton. Yet, they have a vast tram system of 22 lines supplemented by a bus network with over 80 lines. 86% of residents are within 500 m of fast public transit service.

It makes me even more frustrated to return to Brampton and its city council that continue to protect the supremacy of the motor vehicle at all costs.

I wrote about a blog post about it today, and will write further post over the next few days about the rest of my stay there, andI followed by my stay in Berlin.

u/BikesBikesBikes66 — 24 days ago

▲ 75 r/Brampton

The protection on Howden for the bike lanes was removed last week, and they will soon be repainting the road into a four lane cross-section with no bike infrastructure.

And now, no surprise, this has emboldened other car brained councillors who want to pander to people who have too many cars. Cllr Brar wants to remove the bike lane on Clockwork Drive because people are complaining about a lack of space to store their personal property (cars).

Clockwork had bike lanes planned from the moment it was built so people who bought homes there knew there would be no street parking.

Several cars were parked in the bike lane this morning, and dozens of cars were parked on the driveway aprons overhanging both the sidewalk and the bike lane. There were cars parked on front lawns. The entire street is an embarrassment.

There is a school and park on Clockwork.

It’s also a transit route, so if parking was allowed along here, it would be difficult for the bus to navigate.

It is very much part of a growing network of active transportation infrastructure in that area. It connects the Fletcher’s Creek Trail, and Mount Pleasant Trail, which run extensively north and south. It also connects multi-use paths on McLaughlin and Chingacousy, and Brisdale Drive, which has by bike lanes or traffic calming, and leads to the large Fortinos Plaza on Bovaird Drive.

If you want to live in a more progressive city that makes space for vulnerable road users, please contact your councillor to object to removing any more bike lanes.

u/BikesBikesBikes66 — 26 days ago