Ford Government Appeals Ruling Blocking Toronto Bike Lane Removals
Premier Doug Ford’s government is appealing a court ruling that blocked its plan to remove bike lanes from three major Toronto streets.
Last month, Justice Paul Schabas ruled that taking away the bike lanes would put people at greater risk of injury and death, which he said affects the right to life and safety.
The province served an official notice of appeal to Cycle Toronto and other cycling advocates who had challenged the law in court. That law would have allowed the province to remove 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes on Yonge Street, Bloor Street, and University Avenue, and replace them with car lanes.
Ford’s government argues that the court was wrong to suggest people have a constitutional right to bike lanes. The province also says its own data shows travel times went up after the lanes were built, and that removing them would make roads move more smoothly for cars.
Cycling groups disagree. They say bike lanes are vital for public safety and do not cause traffic jams. Justice Schabas agreed with their experts, ruling that protected bike lanes actually help reduce congestion by giving people a safe alternative to driving.
Ford made removing the bike lanes part of his election campaign earlier this year, promising to restore car lanes on major streets. His government says it will continue design work to prepare for removals, despite the court battle.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has been negotiating with Ford on a possible compromise that would keep the bike lanes while also adding car lanes. But Toronto city council voted last fall to oppose the province’s plan. A city report estimated removing the lanes would cost about $48 million.
Safety remains a key concern. Six cyclists were killed in Toronto last year, all on streets without protected lanes. So far this year, no cycling deaths have been reported.
