Ford government removes first Etobicoke bike lanes Tuesday as cyclists plan protest

Ontario will begin removing protected bike lanes from a 1.2-kilometre section of Bloor Street West between Clissold Road and Royal York Road on Tuesday, October 13.

The work follows an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in August that reversed a lower-court decision and allowed the Ford government to remove 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes across Toronto. The province said in September it would immediately restore motor vehicle lanes, and crews will primarily work at night to reduce traffic disruption.

Cyclists are organizing a demonstration on the same stretch of Bloor between Islington and Royal York on Tuesday. Geoffrey Bercarich, leader of Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, said the group expects roughly 1,000 cyclists—possibly more—to gather to "disrupt, or try to make it difficult" for the removal to proceed. Bercarich said demonstrators will "take over the bike lane" but do not anticipate physically obstructing construction crews, citing harsh criminal penalties for anyone attempting to block the work.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has opposed the removals, calling them an overreach of provincial authority. "It is outrageous. He's overstepping. That is trampling on local democracy, the right of Torontonians through their municipal government to have a say over the municipal affairs of this city," Chow said.

Michael Longfield of Cycle Toronto questioned the cost. "Why is the province spending $48 million to fixate on 19 kilometres of roads in Toronto when there are clearly other priorities," Longfield said. Cycle Toronto unsuccessfully sought a court injunction to stop the removals.