Premier Doug Ford’s administration has been granted the authority to remove 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes in Toronto, as decreed by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in a ruling issued on Friday, overturning a previous decision from July 2025. The legislation authorizing the removal of bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue was initially enacted at Queen’s Park in 2024. Despite legal opposition by advocacy group Cycle Toronto and others, the bike lane infrastructure remained on Toronto’s streets.
In the 2025 ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas had deemed the removal of the bike lanes unconstitutional, citing increased risk of harm and potential threats to life and personal security. However, a trio of Appeal Court judges asserted on Friday that there is no constitutional mandate to dictate road usage regulations. The Ford government’s stance has consistently been that eliminating the bike lanes would alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Appeal Court judges emphasized in their decision that the original ruling exaggerated the adverse effects of removing the bike lanes, noting that any injuries or fatalities would only occur if cyclists opted to ride on roads lacking dedicated bike lanes.
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding the division of responsibilities between elected legislative bodies and the judiciary. The Ministry of Transportation is yet to provide details on the timeline for the removal of the bike lanes.
Following the court’s ruling, Premier Ford expressed satisfaction, asserting that common sense had prevailed. In response, the provincial Liberals accused Ford of aspiring to be the “Premier of Toronto.” Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, criticized the decision as regressive, emphasizing that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion and their removal could endanger lives.
The Appeal Court emphasized that the government is not obliged to adhere to expert advice in its legislative decisions. The court’s decision implied that legislative policies are not arbitrary simply because they may not align with expert recommendations.
A spokesperson for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office reiterated the city’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users while working towards efficient traffic flow. Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford supported the court’s decision, advocating for the autonomy of elected governments in determining bike lane placement. Bradford urged the province to collaborate with the city to chart the way forward, emphasizing community involvement in decision-making.
Bradford, who pledged to remove bike lanes on a section of Bloor Street West if elected, encouraged Mayor Chow to acknowledge the court’s ruling and engage in constructive dialogue with the provincial government for future actions. Mayor Chow expressed disappointment over what she perceived as interference in the city’s autonomy by a member of the Council.
The ongoing debate underscores the complex interplay between municipal and provincial authorities in shaping urban infrastructure and transportation policies.