Toronto’s mayor is clapping back at the province after Doug Ford’s government proposed new regulations that would restrict municipalities’ ability to convert roadways into bike lanes.
Earlier this week, the province revealed proposed legislation to combat gridlock in the province. This includes rules that, if passed, would require local governments to receive approval from the province to convert existing lanes for cars into bike lanes. To get approval, the cities would need to prove that the new bike lanes would not impede vehicle traffic.
“Cities in Ontario have seen an explosion of bike lanes, including many that were installed during the pandemic when fewer vehicles were on the road and their impacts on traffic were unclear,” Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria said in a release.
“Too many drivers are now stuck in gridlock as a result, which is why our government is bringing informed decision-making and oversight to bike lanes as well as taking steps to increase speed limits safely and clean up potholes,” he continued.
The proposed new regulations are part of upcoming legislation set to kick off the fall sitting of the Ontario legislature on October 21, 2024.
Additionally, Premier Doug Ford has said the province needs to and plans to remove existing bike lanes that impede vehicle traffic.
“It isn’t enough to keep an eye on future bike lanes,” Ford told a crowd at the Empire Club in Toronto on Thursday.
“We need to and will remove and replace existing bike lanes on primary roads that are bringing traffic in our cities to a standstill.”
On Thursday, Chow took to social media to share her thoughts on the issue, saying she’s against the province interfering in city issues.
“While now the province today has said they’ll rip out existing cycling infrastructure… I’ll say it again: I do not support limiting city powers,” Chow posted on X.
“Ripping up our roads will make congestion worse. Meanwhile, the province’s failure to deliver transit projects on time has led to long construction delays and years of road closures that have made it harder to get around our city,” Chow said in a statement on X, taking aim at the provincial government.
“The province should be focused on finally opening the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRTs and fixing the chaos at Metrolinx.”
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Chow’s statements follow pushback against the proposed legislation from several cycling and advocacy groups, including Cycle Toronto.
“Bluntly, the Province should stay in its own lane. Local governments are best equipped to make these kinds of decisions about allocating space on our roads,” Cycle Toronto said in a statement to Now Toronto.
On Wednesday, the group was part of a “rally and ride” to an Etobicoke town hall focused on the controversial Bloor St. West bike lanes with participants of the rally speaking out against the proposed legislation.
“Modern cities build bike lanes, and Toronto is a modern city. And people on bikes want to get to the same places people driving and taking transit want to get to. That means some bikeways need to be on arterial roads to have a safe and connected network that’s comfortable for all ages and abilities,” the group continued, adding that Bloor St. needs to have lanes for cars, bike lanes, parking and sidewalk to reflect the needs of people living and working in the area.
“It is commendable that the province wants to help Toronto tackle its ongoing challenges with traffic and congestion, but committing to completion dates for the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch LTR would be a more welcome and effective announcement,” Cycle Toronto continued.
TORONTONIANS SAY THEIR PIECE
Following the news, people in Toronto have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the situation. Some people agree with Chow, saying the city needs more infrastructure to support pedestrians and cyclists.
“First, it’s the wide sidewalks and patios. Then, it’s the bike lanes. Next thing you know, you’re living in a lovely, walkable neighbourhood totally unsuitable for living out your Fast and Furious fantasies. Be vigilant, my friends,” one person joked on X.
“People driving cause gridlock, not bike lanes. If more people stopped using their car to drive everywhere, there would be less traffic. Bike lanes aren’t the problem here, it’s too many cars,” another person commented on X. “If everyone drives, nobody moves.”
“Congestion is caused by cars. We need robust transit, bike, pedestrian infrastructure to help alleviate traffic and create options for city residents to move about efficiently.”
While other people are siding with the province, calling for more restrictions on the powers of local governments.
“I support limiting city powers especially in Toronto,” one person posted to X.
“I support the province limiting city powers. CafeTO, construction offsets, and bike lanes to nowhere have crippled the city. I’m an avid cyclist,” another person wrote.
“Finally some sanity, thank you Doug.”
