September 28, 2025 - On July 30 Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice ruled that the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue is unconstitutional, finding that “injuries and death … will result,” but an appeal has been filed. Now the province’s highest court will decide whether Premier Doug Ford’s government can have its way with three major Toronto bike lanes via Bill 212.

In its submission to the Court of Appeal on August 21, the provincial government argued that the lower court “exceeded its jurisdiction,” “made multiple errors of law” and “In effect, the Court erroneously found there to be a positive constitutional right to the permanent maintenance of existing bike lanes.”

Yet in his ruling, Justice Paul Schabas said nobody was asking for a Charter right to bike lanes. He also concluded that removing the bike lanes would not reduce congestion and highlighted expert evidence “which establishes

that bicycle lanes, and in particular separated or protected bicycle lanes, reduce motor vehicle traffic congestion by providing an alternative method of transportation that is safer for all users of the roads.”

The cycling advocates who challenged the bike lane removals said they plan to challenge the government’s appeal.