politics
Ontario Free to Axe Toronto Bike Lanes, Region's Top Court Rules
Win is significant for region's premier, Doug Ford, who blames protected zones for city's traffic ills
TL;DR
- Ontario's top court has ruled in favor of the province, allowing it to remove Toronto's bike lanes.
- A lower court had previously ruled the removal unconstitutional, citing risks to life and security.
- The Ontario court of appeal stated that there is no Charter right to bike lanes.
- Premier Doug Ford has blamed bike lanes for traffic issues, calling the court's decision a 'victory for common sense'.
- Cycling advocates like Michael Longfield of Cycle Toronto expressed disappointment, arguing bike lanes have benefits beyond safety, including traffic calming.
- Toronto's mayor, Olivia Chow, is working with the province to find a path forward that ensures road user safety.
- A city report estimated that removing the lanes would cost taxpayers C$48 million, and internal briefings suggested removal might not reduce congestion and could encroach on municipal decision-making.