Riding in Toronto’s High Park is very popular, but for the past two years police have been ticketing cyclists for going over the 20km/h speed limit. David Shellnutt, also known as The Biking Lawyer, decided to do something about it.
In response to the loss of #ActiveTO, Toronto Police Servicesaer ticketing and targeting cyclists in High Park and the concerns of our neighbours, Shellnutt said in a statement, “So on Sunday July 17, 2022, from 6 to 8 a.m the Biking Lawyer in collaboration with road cycling and bike safety advocates will be organizing the first High Park takeover.”
Toronto’s streets are dangerous, Shellnutt wrote. “According to the TPS’ own database, we know that between 2006 and 2021, there were 17,000 incidents of people killed or seriously injured by motorists. During that same time across all of Toronto there were 6 people seriously injured by cyclists (and zero deaths).”
On Saturday, the day before the takeover, there were already problems brewing. “This morning, one day before cyclists are to take High Park in response to police ticketing, TPS drove SUVs into the park on a car free day, parked in the bike lanes, and ticketed cyclists.
“Just because we have a billion dollar hammer does not make every problem a nail. TPS cannot be the solution to safe and equitable park use. The ticketing and harassment of cyclists must stop,” Shellnutt said.
Literally @TorontoPolice in High Park right now before 10am pulling over cyclists, armed in massive SUVs on a car free Sat. Why not read your own data and literally go a block to @safeparkside where people are actually getting hurt. #bikeTO Cc @gordperks pic.twitter.com/joi8PUDwCc
— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) July 16, 2022
On Sunday, the riders did laps around High Park. The group had marshals at crosswalks and at the intersections. Furthermore they asked pedestrians and joggers to yield the way to cyclists for those two hours.
Early this morning safety advocates & volunteers created a safe & reimagined loop in High Park for cyclists, runners & pedestrians calling for a permanently car-free #HighPark #BikeTO @blogTO @metromorning @westendphoenix #cycling #activeto pic.twitter.com/dyEyBuWUCB
— Martin Reis (@BikeLaneDiary) July 17, 2022
They then made the vehicle lane into two bike tracks, and the existing bike lane was now a jogging lane. The group also spoke to people who were there explaining their goal.
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