The City of Toronto is pushing back hard against the Ontario government’s controversial plan to remove bike lanes on key downtown routes, sparking political negotiations, public protests, and even a legal battle. Last year, Premier Doug Ford’s government passed a bill to remove segments of bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. The move was met with immediate backlash from Toronto residents, cyclists, and city officials—including Mayor Olivia Chow, who has been vocal in her opposition.
In response to public pressure, Mayor Chow and the city proposed a compromise: to retain and redesign some of the bike lanes while also restoring a portion of vehicle lanes to ease traffic flow. “There is a compromise that can secure additional lanes while protecting the safety of cyclists,” Chow said. “There is a solution that can be a win-win for both sides.”
Dakota Brar, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, confirmed that the province is open to working with the city. “The government is sympathetic to the voices of the citizens who are opposed to the plan,” Brar said. He added that the province is willing to support a plan that allows both car and bike lanes to coexist—provided Toronto agrees to cover part of the infrastructure costs.
Premier Ford has long emphasized reducing traffic congestion, which the provincial government estimates costs the economy $56 billion annually. The controversy was amplified when a bike lane was added near Ford’s residence on Bloor Street West, prompting complaints from some business owners who claimed the lanes worsened traffic.
The legislation not only called for the removal of bike lanes on three major streets but also introduced a requirement that future bike lane installations must get provincial approval if they impact car lanes.
As part of Toronto’s proposed compromise, the city suggested restoring two car lanes on University Avenue near the hospital district, narrowing the bike lanes, and removing on-street parking to make space. While the proposal is still under negotiation, Mayor Chow’s office and the Premier’s office have been in ongoing talks since Ford’s re-election in February.
In the meantime, the issue has escalated to the courts. Environmental advocacy groups Cycle Toronto and Ecojustice filed a constitutional lawsuit against the Ontario government, arguing that removing the bike lanes “threatens the lives of citizens and violates their fundamental rights.” Although their request for an injunction was denied, the main trial is scheduled to begin next week.
In March, Premier Ford stated, “We will hold off on the bike lane demolition until the legal judgment is made,” leaving the fate of Toronto’s bike infrastructure hanging in the balance.