Ontario’s highest court delivered a decision Friday that allows the provincial government to proceed with removing protected bike lanes from Toronto’s busiest streets. The ruling reversed a July 2025 judgment from a lower court that had blocked the removal, finding it would unconstitutionally increase risk of death or injury in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Ontario government passed legislation in 2024 enabling the removal of approximately 19 kilometers of bike lanes installed by the City of Toronto. Cycling advocacy organizations, including Cycle Toronto, challenged the measure in court, temporarily halting the initiative. The appellate court’s decision overturned that legal barrier, determining that no constitutional right to bike lanes exists and that government bodies retain authority to modify such policies without judicial intervention based on expert predictions about effectiveness.
Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, expressed disappointment with the ruling. He emphasized that bike lanes provide benefits beyond cyclist safety, including traffic calming effects and improved outcomes for pedestrians and drivers. Longfield characterized the provincial effort as governmental overreach into municipal jurisdiction and questioned whether lane removal represents a genuine solution to urban congestion. Internal government briefings reportedly found that removing the lanes would not alleviate congestion and could potentially worsen traffic conditions.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow indicated she has been negotiating with the province on a path forward that maintains safety for all road users. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria described the court decision as a “victory for common sense,” though the government has not announced specific timelines or final plans regarding implementation. A 2024 city report estimated the removal would cost taxpayers an additional C$48 million.
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