August 25, 2025 - On July 30 the province’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 and now Ontario’s highest court will decide whether Doug Ford’s government can have its way via Bill 212 with three major Toronto bike lanes reports The Trillium, CBC and other outlets.
The province has been pushing for the removals as a solution to Toronto’s traffic congestion, but cyclists and advocates say bike lanes are crucial for public safety and that removing them won’t solve traffic concerns.
In its submission to the Court of Appeal on August 21, the 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. Schabas also concluded that removing the bike lanes will 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 province’s appeal claims otherwise, “This conclusion disregards entirely that the carrying capacity of the roadways for motor vehicles transporting people and goods will be increased by the restoration of a lane for motor vehicle traffic.”
The cycling advocates who challenged the bike lane removals said they plan to defend the government’s appeal.
“The Charter exists to protect the rights of all Canadians, regardless of the whims of this or any government. We urge Premier Ford to respect the rule of law and the decision of the judiciary,” Cycle Toronto executive director Michael Longfield said in a news release.
Read more in The Trillium here, in CBC here and for the July 30 ruling click here.
