New Ontario bike-lane law forces design changes to 27 Ottawa transportation projects
Bill 60 prevents municipalities from removing traffic lanes for bike lanes. City staff say 20 of 27 affected projects can proceed with minor design tweaks; 7 need major review.
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Ontario's new restrictions on bike lanes are reshaping 27 Ottawa transportation projects, though city staff say most can still proceed with design modifications.
Bill 60 prevents municipalities from removing traffic lanes to build bike infrastructure. Of 124 cycling projects in Ottawa's Transportation Master Plan, 85 will not be affected by the new provincial law. But 27 projects already underway are caught in the restrictions: 13 cycling retrofits, five road renewals, seven major road and transit projects, one road safety project, and one neighbourhood traffic-calming initiative.
City staff reported to council Monday that 20 of the 27 projects will move forward with only minor design changes. The remaining seven — where the legislation is expected to have more significant impact — are still under review. The restrictions do not apply to full-time parking lanes, according to the city. Traffic lanes can still be removed for pedestrian improvements, transit enhancements, or safety measures.
The city expects to report back to committee and council in early 2027, ahead of the 2027 budget cycle. Staff did not specify which seven projects face substantial redesign or what those changes might entail.
Which seven projects are expected to face significant impact from Bill 60, and what design alternatives is the city considering for each?
How much additional cost or timeline delay does the city anticipate for the seven projects requiring major review?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many Ottawa transportation projects are affected by Ontario's new bike-lane law?
27 Ottawa transportation projects are affected by Bill 60, which prevents municipalities from removing traffic lanes to build bike infrastructure.
How many of the affected projects can proceed with minor changes?
20 of the 27 affected projects in Ottawa will move forward with only minor design changes, according to city staff.
When will the city report back on the projects facing major redesign?
Ottawa expects to report back to committee and council in early 2027, ahead of the 2027 budget cycle.
