Holyday and Saunders: Stop bike lane expansion along Bloor St. W.

Etobicoke - Today, Toronto Mayoral candidate Mark Saunders welcomed the endorsement of Stephen Holyday from Etobicoke.

“Stephen is a man who puts his principles and values into everything he does. I appreciate his thoughtfulness and the ideas he’s bringing to the table,” said Mark Saunders. “His dedication to his community in Etobicoke and our wider city is admirable, and we’re so happy to have him on our team.”

First elected in 2014, Stephen Holyday proudly represents Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre. Holyday has consistently heard from his community that the residents of Etobicoke don’t want bike lanes along Bloor Street, from Prince Edward Drive through Royal York Road and out to Islington Avenue, and Saunders agrees.

“Downtown politicians think it’s ok to tell moms and dads to take their kids to school and to other activities on bikes. Or to tell seniors how they should pick up their groceries and prescriptions. Every voice is important, not just the loudest,” said Saunders.

“Putting bike lanes onto main arteries across the city has been a political decision that the public does not accept,” said Holyday. "When City Hall is talking about bike lanes and not addressing urgent issues like crime on the TTC or affordability, we really don't have the priorities of Torontonians straight."

As Mayor, Mark Saunders would deprioritize projects like the Bloor St. W. bike lane expansion. Saunders will work with Council to set projects like this aside, and look at other ways to reduce congestion on major roads across the city.

“This isn’t about being anti-bike lane. I’m not against bike lanes in principle, but what I won’t stand for is putting them on roads that don’t make sense for the communities they’re in,” said Saunders.