August 7, 2022 - (Toronto, ON) Over the last few weeks, Toronto cyclists and road safety advocates have grown increasingly alarmed by the recent and escalating tensions between people on bikes and the Toronto Police Service in the city of Toronto. With the number of fatalities and injuries caused by motor vehicles in and around High Park, the targeting and ticketing of cyclists is not an effective use of police resources; moreover, it’s escalating an unnecessarily polarizing issue that is contributing to making our roads more dangerous.

Today, we urgently requested Mayor John Tory and Chief James Ramer for a meeting to discuss how we can work together to de-escalate the situation.

Read our letter: 

Dear Mayor Tory,                                    
 
Over the last few weeks, Toronto cyclists and road safety advocates have grown increasingly alarmed by the recent and escalating tensions between people on bikes and the Toronto Police Service in the City of Toronto.
 
As far back as 2016 you cited cycling as an important part of our city’s transportation network, one that helps keep Toronto moving. As recently as this year you supported Bike Month 2022, citing cycling as an essential part of our integrated transportation network as well as an enjoyable way to stay active and commute. 
 
While we are encouraged by the progress being made by the High Park Movement Strategy project, recent events have caused people across the city to become increasingly concerned about their safety with respect to the Toronto Police Services, and the situation has become untenable.
 
To that end, Cycle Toronto is urgently requesting a meeting with both you & Chief James Ramer. We would like to discuss how we can work together to de-escalate and open a dialogue where our communities can work constructively together on strategies with positive outputs.  We are more than willing to organize, facilitate, and ensure the discussion is productive and respectful.

Thousands of families, commuters and cycling enthusiasts have joined Toronto’s cycling network since the onset of the pandemic, and this trend is set to continue. The City of Toronto also continues to support programs like Bike Share and make critical infrastructure investments to see cycling become integrated into Toronto’s transit system. Therefore, it’s in all our interests that we work together to maintain a productive working relationship between road users and enforcement services.
 
We look forward to hearing from you. 

Keagan Gartz                        Ashley Quan                        Dana O’Born
Executive Director,               President, Board                 Chair, Board Cycle 
Cycle Toronto                       Cycle Toronto                      Cycle Toronto