Drivers in Vancouver have suffered for years from bureaucrats at City Hall who think congestion is a traffic management tool.

The Happy Planet mayor set the purse strings and the bureaucrats loose, and is encouraging cyclists to get out into traffic. They've taken a lane from one of the major east-west arteries in the City, a one-way street, to build a two-way bike lane - yes, confusing I know. You should try cycling on it.

Many cyclists on this route (and many others) don't seem to know that they have the same obligations on the road as someone driving a car. These cyclists are a danger to themselves and others, in particular other cyclists. When cyclists try to make left-hand turns from this right-hand lane they block the 2-way bike lane, causing near collisions as they turn suddenly in front of cyclists coming up behind them. Another problem is cyclists are encouraged  to cycle the wrong way on a one-way road. This is insanity.

Yes, we will  probably have fewer people driving downtown, but not because they have left their cars at home and cycled downtown. We will see fewer cars because people won't come downtown.

And that's going to hurt businesses, and ultimately residents. As businesses shut down, we'll have fewer shopping options and a less diverse and vibrant city. Ironically, we'll have to drive farther  to buy the things we'll need.

Not only that, the relatively small number of businesses we have left in the City now pick up more than half the property tax bill. If they disappear, the entire property tax burden will fall to residents. Say hello to even higher property taxes.

The City's spending priorities are a misguided attempt to create some sort of cycling utopia. But it is unlikely we will create a cycling paradise in Vancouver.