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The feud between bike-lane-supporters and bike-lane-opponents is currently at an all time high in Toronto. On October 21st, the Ontario government posted Bill 212, titled “Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024,” which is an initiative by the Doug Ford administration to allow the provincial government to exercise control over the development (and removal) of bike lanes within cities, something that municipalities have planned and implemented on their own until this point.
Specifically, Bill 212 will require municipalities to seek provincial approval for the development of any bike lanes that will remove a lane of traffic, and pending a provincial review, “regulations could be made to require the removal” of existing bike lanes. Doug Ford has specifically mentioned the Bloor, Yonge, and University bike lanes as targets for Bill 212, saying it's a done deal.
In response to the announcement, hundreds of cyclists took to the streets, meeting at the Legislative Building on October 24 before parading along Hoskin Avenue and then Bloor Street, with many making sure to ride in the vehicular lanes as they would be required to be if the bike lanes are removed.
Doug Ford posted a video to Instagram saying that “the commute takes twice as long” for Torontonians who drive to work now that the bike lanes are in place. Those opposing his views are more concerned about accessibility and safety – a valid concern given that 6 cyclists have been killed in Toronto so far in 2024 alone. An article produced by the CBC fact checks Doug Ford's claims.
Bill 212 states that the legislation for the removal of these lanes would be exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act and there would be a “requirement for the City of Toronto to provide support” in removing existing lanes.
The City of Toronto’s 2024 budget for cycling infrastructure is $31 million – a 55% increase from 2023. Many sections of bike lanes along Bloor have only just been completed, and if the city is required to remove them, it is sure to spark more controversy.
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