Ontario Completes First Phase of Toronto Bike Lane Removals

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced Friday that a 1.2-kilometre stretch of bike lanes on Bloor Street W. in Etobicoke has been officially removed. According to reporting from CBC Toronto, Sarkaria told CP24 Breakfast that the decision followed community feedback and cited low usage of the lanes as the primary reason for the move.

This action is part of a broader provincial strategy led by Premier Doug Ford to remove bike lanes around sections of Yonge Street, Avenue Road, Queen's Park, and Bloor Street to ease traffic congestion. Sarkaria noted that additional removals will occur during the next construction cycle.

The removals have sparked significant backlash from cycling advocates. CBC Toronto reports that dozens of protesters gathered at Queen's Park on Halloween to decry the decision. The tension has previously escalated on Bloor Street W., where clashes between construction crews and protesters led to four arrests for mischief.

Cycle Toronto, a member-supported charity, is challenging the provincial government's mandate. Executive director Michael Longfield stated that the organization has asked the Supreme Court of Canada to weigh in after an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling permitted the removal of protected lanes. Longfield noted that cycling became a key issue during Toronto's municipal election, which saw the re-election of Mayor Olivia Chow.

Beyond traffic flow, advocates highlight the impact on accessibility. Oda Al-anizi, a disability rights advocate, told CBC Toronto that dedicated bike lanes are critical for safety and mobility for people with disabilities, particularly those using e-bike wheelchair attachments who may not be visible to aggressive drivers.