Ontario removes Toronto bike lanes
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The gist
Ontario crews began removing 1.2 km of protected bike lanes on Bloor Street West on Oct 14.
The province-wide fight pits Premier Doug Ford against Toronto's mayor and cyclists.
Background
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is continuing an anti-bicycle campaign begun by his late brother Rob Ford, who as Toronto mayor ripped out bike lanes on Jarvis Street in 2012. In 2024 the province passed Bill 212, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, which requires the Minister to remove the bicycle lanes on Bloor Street, University Avenue and Yonge Street in Toronto. The province says removal will restore vehicle lanes and ease congestion, while the City of Toronto and cycling advocates opposed it; the dispute went to court after advocates challenged the legislation.
How it unfolded
- 2012As Toronto mayor, Rob Ford ripped out bike lanes on Jarvis Street; several people temporarily blocked the removal by lying down in the street.
- 2024Bill 212, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, added section 195.6 to Ontario's Highway Traffic Act requiring the Minister to remove the bicycle lanes on Bloor Street, University Avenue and Yonge Street.
- Jul 2025Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas ruled the removal plan unconstitutional, finding it would put people at increased risk of injury and death.
- Aug 14, 2026A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal for Ontario reversed the ruling that had protected the bike lanes for a year, clearing the province to remove all 19 kilometres.
- Sep 1, 2026The province issued a request for proposals for design options to restore vehicle lanes on several streets, saying work would begin on Bloor Street West at Clissold Road.
- Oct 13, 2026Cycle Toronto and its co-applicants announced they will seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
- Oct 14, 2026Crews began removing protected lanes on 1.2 kilometres of Bloor Street West; hundreds of people stood with their bikes to block the work, and two were arrested.
- Oct 19, 2026Work proceeded under police protection; a fourth protester was arrested near Bloor Street W. and Islington Avenue, and community members installed a red pyramid of bicycles at Tom Riley Park as a memorial to people killed on Bloor, Yonge and University.
- Oct 21, 2026Protests in Toronto were still ongoing.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the bike lanes are coming out and the government has a clear mandate to deliver.
- Caution
- Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the province's actions a trampling of local democracy.
- Support
- The Ontario government says removing the protected bike lanes will restore vehicle lanes and help reduce traffic congestion.
- Party
- Cycle Toronto's Michael Longfield said the removal threatens road safety without solving congestion and criticized the province for spending $48 million despite local opposition.
Still unverified
Police said the fourth arrest was related to mischief and obstructing police, but there is no word yet on charges. The province's stated reason for removal is traffic congestion, though its own internal briefings said the evidence did not confirm that removal would ease it.