A picture truly is worth a thousand words—and Martin Reis and Joshua Best captured a perfect analogy for the ongoing bike lanes debacle in Ontario. On Nov. 26, the Ontario government passed a contentious bill permitting the removal of bike lanes from three key cycling routes in Toronto. The legislation also limits municipalities from adding new bike lanes or removing existing ones along these roads, requiring provincial approval for any changes—including the potential elimination of current lanes and possibly others in the future.
But Toronto cycling advocates are not standing down anytime soon.
On Wednesday, Cycle Toronto and local advocates launched a Charter challenge against the Ford government’s law targeting bike lanes. Longfield, however, couldn’t attend—he was in the hospital getting treatment for his leg.
Court challenge against Bill 212
CycleToronto has filed a court challenge against Bill 212, which gives the Ontario government sweeping authority over the installation and removal of municipal bike lanes. The group claims the law violates cyclists’ Charter rights to life and security. (In another twist, the head of CycleToronto, Michael Longfield, couldn’t be there in person. Why? He had been doored on Monday, which resulted in a broken leg.)
The challenge was filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice and seeks an injunction to prevent the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street, University Avenue, and Yonge Street. The Ford government has argued these lanes contribute to congestion and delay emergency response times.
Some cycling advocates held up signage over Queen Elizabeth Way in Toronto during rush hour. The road is a highway used by motorists coming in and out of the city.
The sign highlighted the irony of blaming bike lanes for congestion when there are clearly more significant factors at play. Unfinished transit projects, a lack of carpooling, and construction projects across the city are most likely to blame for gridlock. And in this case, since it’s a highway with no bike lane in sight, the argument seems even more far-fetched.
Breaking: Activists demand real solutions to real problems related to Toronto traffic woes with banner over Gardiner @blogTO @westendphoenix @CityNewsTO #topoli #onpoli pic.twitter.com/LegwA1FgP8
— Martin Reis @martinreis.bsky.social (@BikeLaneDiary) December 13, 2024
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…