I don't think it was a comfort thing, hopefully they get some lanes for cyclists, I have lost a bike messanger friend to congested streets in a downtown area.
There just comes a time when a city needs to taper off the downtown motored traffic.
Someone on a bike is literally naked compared to a 2000 pound moving piece of steel and aluminum. I think they made a good point..now lets hope that is not because they left the seat at home 😉