Toronto Cycling Advocates Fight Ontario’s Bloor Street Bike Lane Removal at Supreme Court

A 56-billion-dollar economic cost cited by the provincial government stands against a 48-million-dollar municipal removal estimate as Toronto’s Bloor Street bike lane dispute reaches a critical head.

Ontario Court Of Appeal Overturns Lower Safety Ruling

However, the Ontario Court of Appeal declared that reasoning erroneous, stating that legislatures are free to regulate road use without implicating the Charter.

The consequences of this case reach far beyond bike lanes, Ms. Roe said.

Supreme Court Appeal Filed By Cycling Advocates

The Supreme Court generally takes several months to decide if it will hear an appeal, which is far too late to influence the provincial government’s immediate plans. Dakota Brasier, spokesman for Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, outlined the timeline in an e-mail. That work begins Tuesday, Mr. Brasier said.

Mayoral Election Heightens Political Tensions

All this lands just two weeks before a mayoral election in Toronto between two front-runners who have staked out opposing bike-lane positions.

It has always been seen as the holy grail of bike lanes, Mr. Koehl said.

Etobicoke Business Resistance And Neighborhood Division

Last year, 40 area businesses filed a lawsuit against the city over the bike lanes, claiming $10-million in damages.

Pat Phillips, a 13-year resident of the neighbourhood, offered a different perspective on the street. I really don’t think the bike lanes makes a difference in the traffic levels, Ms. Phillips said. I think they are fantastic. Meanwhile, John Rydzanicz, who has lived in the area for 35 years, expressed mixed feelings. I think we should make it safe for bikes, but the lanes have definitely slowed down traffic, Mr. Rydzanicz said. I don’t even bother leaving the house if it’s after 4 p.m.

Demolishing Bloor Street Cycling Infrastructure

Adam Rodgers loads his five-year-old daughter onto the rear seat of his Tern cargo bike for her swimming lessons, facing an uncertain route as the physical barriers disappear. I don’t even know how we’re getting there, Mr. Rodgers said. It’s frustrating.

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