Sarnia bike advocacy group opposes state bike lane bill

A cycling advocacy group in Sarnia is asking for help to challenge state laws that could limit local bike path infrastructure.

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A cycling advocacy group in Sarnia is asking for help to challenge state laws that could limit local bike path infrastructure.

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“If it were to happen, it would definitely be a step in the wrong direction for all cities, including ours,” Tristan Bassett, executive director of the nuSarnia Foundation, said of Bill 212.

The group recently asked people to contact Sarnia-Lambton MP Bob Bailey about the proposed bill that was recently tabled in the Ontario legislature.

The proposal states that municipalities would require provincial approval to add bike lanes, while doing so would require the removal of existing vehicle traffic lanes.

The state could also “force municipalities to collect and provide information to the state about existing bike lanes where traffic lanes have been removed,” the proposal summary states.

Ontario Municipal Associations criticized the proposal, which aims to reduce congestion, as a “significant overreach.”

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Bassett said the bill could have a big impact in Sarnia. active transportation master plan Earlier this year, that included adding more sidewalks, paths and trails, as well as 106 kilometers of on-road cycling infrastructure.

This year, elevated bike lanes were part of a project. Wellington Street construction projectHe and city officials are considering extending existing bike lanes on Michigan Avenue to Indian Road in 2025 as part of the Lambton County rebuilding project, said David Jackson, general manager of city engineering and operations.

“It would be a huge waste of resources to discontinue (these plans), let alone rip out (the existing bike lanes),” Bassett said.

He said the group has received a positive response since issuing the advocacy call earlier this week.

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“Our main focus is educating people about bike lanes, and if we look at the data and the research that has been collected, we see that they are very effective at reducing traffic congestion,” Bassett said.

In short, more vehicle lanes lead to more cars on the road and continued congestion, he said, noting that many people in Sarnia, including Lambton College students, already cycle for transportation.

Bassett said the group also met informally with Bailey’s office but did not share specifics.

Bailey’s office did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Thursday.

With files from The Canadian Press

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