November 19, 2024 - Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s absurd efforts to rip out Toronto’s bike lanes capture international attention as The Guardian is reporting on the backlash.
Last month, Ford, shocked residents of Canada’s largest city when he pledged to rip out three of the city’s bike lanes on Bloor St., Yonge St. and University Ave. that he claims “are just absolutely insanity right now”.
The move has shocked advocates and city officials as cycling on the rise in Toronto – the city has made good progress at building out its cycling network like many other major cities around the world.
Seen as a dramatic moment of government overreach, the action has provoked a fierce backlash from cyclists and city officials, and raised broader question about the future of cars – and bicycles – in large urban centres.
Toronto city council voted 21-4 to oppose provincial Bill 212 which would grant Ontario the power to prevent bike lanes that remove a traffic lane. The province’s pledge to rip out recently installed infrastructure would cost $C48m (US$34m), according to a city report. The city also voted 22-3 against paying for any bike lane removal under the bill and is exploring legal challenges.
Read the full story here – h/t @normsworld Norm Di Pasquale, Federal NDP Candidate for Spadina-Fort York
