On a recent Friday night, hundreds of cycling advocates rallied in downtown Toronto to protest a court ruling that permits the Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, to remove 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. This demonstration comes in response to a unanimous decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal which overturned a lower court’s ruling that expressed concerns about the potential dangers posed to cyclists by removing these lanes.
The Ontario Court of Appeal criticized the lower court for creating a right to bike lanes nonexistent in law, arguing that the prior ruling misapplied legal principles and veered into the territory of policy-making. The court's decision has stirred significant outrage among cycling advocates, who fear for their safety on the roads without these protected lanes.
Internal documents discussed in the court findings revealed that removing the bike lanes would not fulfill the government’s stated goal of reducing traffic congestion. Instead, the removal could lead to a 54 percent increase in collisions involving all road users. This alarming data underscores the safety concerns that cyclists are voicing in light of the court's ruling.
David Shellnut, a founding partner of The Biking Lawyer LLC, one of the rally's organizers, noted the personal impact of the court decision on individuals who depend on these bike lanes for safe transportation. “People take that really personally,” he said. “They’re just trying to get home safe, take their kids to school... I can expect a lot of people to be up in arms about that.”
The protest ride meandered east along the Danforth, culminating at the office of Councillor Brad Bradford. Bradford was one of 21 city councillors who favored adding bike lanes on a section of Bloor Street West in Etobicoke in 2023 but has since re-evaluated his position. Following the court’s ruling, Bradford stated, “When I’m the mayor of Toronto, the bike lanes on Bloor Street West – they’re coming out, and the vehicle lanes are going back in.” He proposed reallocating cycling investments to residential streets and multi-use trails.
Contrasting Bradford's stance, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has pledged to seek “win-win solutions,” which would include restoring a lane of traffic on Bloor Street while maintaining the bike lanes in the area. Shellnut pointed out the complexity of the current political climate, with ongoing municipal elections featuring candidates with previously pro-bike platforms now adopting anti-bike policies, further intensifying community engagement on these issues.
Participants of the rally emphasized that their fight is about more than just preserving their daily commutes; it’s about the broader vision of Toronto's urban landscape for the future. Joey Schwartz, a rally attendee and cycling instructor, expressed concern about the implications of removing bike lanes. “We’ve been fighting for these lanes for more than 15 years,” he lamented. “If they get ripped out, all of our work is going to go down the drain. One of the biggest issues for me is the safety of fellow cyclists. Not everyone is a trained cyclist like myself.” Schwartz highlighted the increase in cycling that the bike lanes have fostered, warning that their removal could deter new cyclists from taking to the streets.
As the Ontario government frames the legislation around reducing congestion, cyclists remain steadfast in their resolve that the core issue is their safety. Advocates vocalize their intent to keep their message alive, continuing to advocate for protective measures through ongoing demonstrations.
