February 24, 2025 - Scarborough and North York are poised to see overdue expansion of their cycling networks with new bike lanes and complete street makeovers. On Thursday, February 27th Infrastructure and Environment Committee will consider over 12 km of new bike lanes including Bathurst Street in North York and Ellesmere Avenue in Scarborough along with contraflow lanes in the Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood.
Here are three things you can do to help make these plans a reality:
1) Write your city councillor and members of the Committee, and tell them a healthier and more vibrant city matters to you. It’s as easy as using this template to get started – click here.
2) Depute with us at City Hall on Thursday February 27th!
Deputing means giving a short speech at one of the City Council’s committees. It’s one of the most effective ways to show your support (or opposition) to a project or policy. It’s essential to show our elected representatives there’s strong support for more bike lanes to make it easier for more people to choose to ride a bike across Toronto.
When: Thursday, February 27th, 2025 at 9:30 am
Where: Toronto City Hall, Committee Room 1 (or virtually)
What: Agenda link is here
If you’re nervous about speaking or not sure about what to say, sign up for our virtual Lunch and Learn Deputation Workshop on Tuesday, February 25th at 12:30 PM.
3) Consider becoming a Cycle Toronto member today. None of this work would be possible without the support of our members. Since 2008, Cycle Toronto members have helped achieve incredible things including bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge. Join us today to be part of the fight to keep them. As a registered charity, even $5 a month helps keep our wheels turning – join here.
Why are these projects so important?
The good news, if approved*:
Scarborough will gain 5.2 kilometers of bikeways on Ellesmere Road that will connect the soon to be implemented Scarborough Golf Club bikeways to the still-pending Danforth-Kingston bikeways. This project features key destinations to enable more people to choose to ride a bike including University of Toronto Scarborough, Centennial College, and Centenary Hospital.
North York will gain 4.7 kilometers of bikeways on Bathurst Street from Steeles Avenue to Bainbridge Avenue connecting local neighbourhood routes and the Finch Hydro Corridor.
Create additional cycling network connections including:
• Bedford Road from Prince Arthur Avenue and Bloor Street West
• Ontario Street from Wellesley Street East to Prospect Street
• York Gate Boulevard from Jane Street to the Finch Hydro Corridor
• Wallace-Emerson Neighbourhood connections
*The bad news: if not approved:
• More setbacks for implementing safe cycling infrastructure and achieving the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan.
• Another barrier to achieving transportation equity in areas of the city that are most in need of road safety improvements.
• Failing to meet Toronto’s official targets of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and getting 3/4 of all location trips under 5 km by walking, transit, or biking.
But what about Bill 212?
None of these projects involve the removal of any vehicle travel lanes or parking lanes, and therefore should be free from Bill 212’s arbitrary and reckless meddling. It’s also essential we take nothing for granted and ensure City Hall hears loud and clear your support. Read more about our legal challenge against the province’s anti-bike lane legislation.
Cycle Toronto website here.
P.S – After showing your support for building bike lanes in Toronto, get out and vote in the provincial election. Let’s send a strong message to Queen’s Park that no city has ever solved congestion by prioritizing cars—bike lanes should remain a municipal decision.
