Premier Doug Ford’s authorities is interesting a current Ontario Superior Courtroom determination that struck down its plan to take away bike lanes on three main Toronto streets, calling the ruling “probably the most ridiculous” he’s ever seen.
The courtroom discovered the province’s laws — which focused bike lanes on Bloor Avenue, Yonge Avenue, and College Avenue — unconstitutional, citing elevated dangers to bike owner security and a scarcity of proof that the removals would cut back visitors congestion.
Ford, who made the bike lane removals a marketing campaign difficulty throughout a snap election earlier this yr, has vowed to battle the choice. His authorities is now pursuing an enchantment, which was filed on Thursday, Aug. 21and has not dominated out invoking the however clause if vital.
The enchantment, filed by the Legal professional Normal of Ontario and the Minister of Transportation, challenges the July 30 judgment. The courtroom had dominated that eradicating protected bike lanes on Bloor Avenue, Yonge Avenue, and College Avenue would endanger cyclists and couldn’t be justified underneath the Constitution.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media at Queen’s Park in Toronto on April 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor.
In its enchantment, the province argues the courtroom erred to find a constitutional proper to bike lanes, stating there is no such thing as a obligation for governments to keep up harm-reduction measures. The federal government additionally disputes the courtroom’s conclusion that the legislation was arbitrary and grossly disproportionate, citing proof that restoring motorcar lanes would alleviate visitors congestion and enhance the motion of products and folks.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Transportation’s workplace mentioned they have been elected by the folks of Ontario with a transparent mandate to “restore lanes of visitors and transfer bike lanes off of main roads to secondary roads to get drivers transferring.”
“We can even proceed with the design work vital to start removals of motorbike lanes and get a few of our busiest roads transferring, as quickly as doable.”
Critics — together with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow — argue the transfer is a big overreach that endangers lives.
Biking advocates brace for renewed authorized battle
The authorized problem was spearheaded by Cycle Toronto and supported by Ecojustice, which argued the legislation was arbitrary and harmful.
In a press launchEcojustice mentioned the courtroom’s determination was a “landmark victory for bike owner security and constitutional rights,” and confirmed its readiness to defend the ruling in increased courts ought to the enchantment proceed.
“The Constitution exists to guard the rights of all Canadians, whatever the whims of this or any authorities. We urge Premier Ford to respect the rule of legislation and the choice of the judiciary,” Michael Longfield, govt director of Cycle Toronto, mentioned in an announcement.
“The information are clear that the Ontario authorities is ignoring its personal consultants and losing taxpayer cash by indulging in magical considering that everybody can drive for each journey. This yr alone, extra Torontonians have been killed in visitors collisions than in homicides. Ripping out protected bike lanes is not going to cut back the time you’re caught in visitors.”
Ford authorities doubles down
Earlier makes an attempt by the province to raise a short lived injunction blocking the removals have been additionally dismissed by a three-judge panel, reinforcing the courtroom’s stance that bike owner security have to be prioritized.
“We’re ready to go again to courtroom to proceed to defend the rights of susceptible highway customers to be free from arbitrary legal guidelines that put their lives in danger,” mentioned Ecojustice lawyer, Bronwyn Roe.
“The Superior Courtroom discovered, based mostly on the proof, that ripping out protected bike lanes in Toronto will put individuals who journey bikes at higher threat of damage and demise and won’t obtain the federal government’s acknowledged goal of lowering visitors congestion. We are going to search to uphold the Superior Courtroom’s well-reasoned determination on the Courtroom of Enchantment.”
