A group dedicated to ensuring there are active transportation options in Sarnia is sounding the alarm over Ontario Bill 212.
The proposed legislation would make cities get provincial approval if they want to install new bicycle lanes that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic.
The city would have to submit information about existing bike lanes on municipal roads where an existing vehicle lane was removed. Pending a review, the province could then force the city to remove a bike lane and return the roadway to normal traffic.
Projects that have reached the construction stage or where construction contracts have been awarded would be exempt.
nuSarnia Foundation Executive Director Tristan Bassett said we've made a lot of progress locally in recent years, and this would be a step in the wrong direction.
"Our main priority is just to make it known that this bill doesn't reflect the needs of our community here in Sarnia, nor do we think it's a step in the right direction for us," said Bassett. "It is a real threat to our ability to move forward as a cycling community here. There are a lot of families now, due to the economy, looking at how they can go to a single car home and maybe one of them commute to work by public transit or walking or cycling. There are a lot of families that would like to see their children bike or walk to school."
Sarnia's Active Transportation Master Plan calls for the installation of 106 kilometres of on-road cycling infrastructure, 92 km of sidewalk, and 15 km of multi-use paths.
Bassett said, like many other cities, Sarnia's population is growing and a number of people don't have cars.
"We have a growing number of International students coming here, and that's a really large non-car owning demographic in our population," she said. "We have a lot of people in our community who are beginning to rely more and more on alternate forms of transportation, and removing access to that is just a real step in the wrong direction."
She noted the vast majority of people they surveyed told them they'd ride their bikes more often if there were more dedicated lanes.
"With cycling infrastructure, the data has really shown that if you build it people will come," said Bassett. "The same goes for traffic as well, it's an induced demand. The more you focus on automobile traffic, the more people are inclined to drive. Over the years, the roads then become busier."
Bassett encourages residents to voice their concerns to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey via an emailed letter.
Those wishing to submit their feedback online can also do so on the Ontario government's website.