There’s been a lot of back-and-forth lately about the Ford government’s plan to remove protected bike lanes on multiple key corridors in Toronto. The government argues this will reduce downtown traffic congestion and has passed *Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024*, which gives them direct authority to remove bike lanes and requires cities to gain provincial approval for new ones that reduce car lanes.

On one street in particular, [Bloor Street](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yf7xDPFrKU2vTcj56), a [study](https://streets.mn/2022/01/26/bikes-and-business-on-bloor/) before bike lanes were installed revealed that amongst those who live or work in the area, two‐thirds walk, 14% cycle, another 14% take public transit, and only 5% drive. For those who do not live or work in the area, 54% take public transit, 20% walk, 16% drive, and 10% cycle.

After the lanes were installed in 2016, cycling increased by 49%. While Bloor Street sees 18,000 daily drivers, it also accommodates 8,000 cyclists daily. Only about 4% of people visiting businesses on Bloor Street arrive by car.

Cycling advocates like Cycle Toronto are fighting back, claiming these removals endanger cyclists and violate Charter rights. Toronto’s mayor and city officials are pushing for compromises to keep bike lanes where they’re heavily used and supported, especially in central areas, while possibly adjusting lanes in suburban sections. Some local businesses support removals, but others, and most residents, oppose the removal, citing safety and economic benefits of bike lanes.

A judge recently sided with the people and Cycle Toronto to keep the bike lanes, but the premier recently made a statement saying, "those bike lanes are coming out one way or another".

Ford government to appeal court injunction blocking Toronto bike lane removals: "those bike lanes are coming out one way or another"