Toronto voted for safer streets. But Stantec will profit from Ontario’s reckless plan to rip out Toronto's busiest bike lanes. Tell Stantec to rip up this contract before they rip out your bike lanes.
@TheBikingLawyer
@torontotodayca
cycleto.ca/shame_on_you_s…
@TheBikingLawyer
@torontotodayca
cycleto.ca/shame_on_you_s…
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Cycle Toronto win. In response to our legal action, the province has backtracked from an alleged December start and confirms no bike lane removal will begin until at least March 2025.
"Our goal is that they don't ever get the chance to start at all” Michael Longfield, ED.
"Our goal is that they don't ever get the chance to start at all” Michael Longfield, ED.
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This morning, Cycle Toronto launched a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Section 7 challenge to the provincial government’s Bill 212.
The lawsuit also seeks an immediate injunction to prevent the removal of target bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge.
The lawsuit also seeks an immediate injunction to prevent the removal of target bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge.
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Thanks to Not Just Bikes for adding their voice to the resistance against Bill 212.
“Decades of research has shown there is no solution to car traffic except viable alternatives to driving.”
Watch the full video on YouTube:
youtu.be/KgFCQ7jEZxI
“Decades of research has shown there is no solution to car traffic except viable alternatives to driving.”
Watch the full video on YouTube:
youtu.be/KgFCQ7jEZxI
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Bill 212 also now indemnifies the province against potential lawsuits when people become injured or killed after the bike lanes are removed. Even they know Bill 212 will put people’s lives at risk.
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The province’s own experts have warned the government that removing bike lanes would not help ease traffic congestion–and in fact could make congestion worse.
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Bill 212 is now law, and it’s worse than we ever imagined. This anti-bike lane legislation will put lives at risk by removing bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University—three of Toronto’s busiest and most critical cycling corridors.
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According to a 2019 study, 44% of Torontonians ride a bike to work, school, or to do errands. Coupled with another 26% who ride for fun and exercise, that’s more than two thirds who ride a bike.
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So why are we considering behaviours in those contexts when we’re making decisions about places that look like this:
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And this, in that statistic.
It’s not surprising that few residents of these communities commute by bike considering their urban design.
It’s not surprising that few residents of these communities commute by bike considering their urban design.
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Minister Sarkaria and Premier Ford have been reciting that number in the media since Bill 212 was announced.
But the stat is flawed. The number comes from a 14 year old census, which is before almost any bike lane was built, and considers the entire Toronto metro area.
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But the stat is flawed. The number comes from a 14 year old census, which is before almost any bike lane was built, and considers the entire Toronto metro area.
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Supposedly, only 1.2% of Toronto residents ride their bike to work. And because of that, the provincial government is pushing through legislation that would remove the existing lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge.
But does that statistic seem a little suspicious to you?
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But does that statistic seem a little suspicious to you?
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Today, November 20th, is the deadline to submit comments to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) for Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act:
ero.ontario.ca/comment/reply/…
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ero.ontario.ca/comment/reply/…
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At Council today, with a 21-4 vote, the Mayor and City Council voted for respecting local democracy, and made clear its opposition to Bill 212. With this message, we’re redoubling our focus on stopping this unprecedented provincial overreach and protecting our bike lanes.
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Over the past 2 months, over 21,000 have signed our petition pushing back against Bill 212, the legislation that would remove bike lanes on Yonge, Bloor, and University.
Today, Mayor Chow and City Council discussed the bill for the first time.
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Today, Mayor Chow and City Council discussed the bill for the first time.
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"If we can't agree on these facts, it does make having these conversations very challenging, and I think it can split things into a kind of culture war that I don't think benefits anybody" - @CycleToronto talking with @jackhauen and @Thetrilliumca
thetrillium.ca/news/municipal…
thetrillium.ca/news/municipal…
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Toronto City Council meets tomorrow and will discuss their response to Bill 212, the provincial legislation that will remove bike lanes on Bloor, University and Yonge.
If the Mayor and Council are still working on their strategy, we’ve got some ideas.
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If the Mayor and Council are still working on their strategy, we’ve got some ideas.
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ICYMI George and Karen's daughter Alex Amaro was killed riding her bike on Dufferin Street in December 2020. They're asking Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria to stop the anti-bike lane legislation Bill 212. Listen to their story on @metromorning
cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…
cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…
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The provincial government is trying to convince you that 11 km of bike lanes are responsible for Toronto's traffic woes. What will they blame when removing them makes traffic worse? Where is the same energy & enthusiasm to complete the Eglinton Crosstown? youtube.com/watch?v=e28TDI…
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UPDATE: Two promising items in line with our deputation now on the agenda for City Council next week:
CC23.1 - Respecting Local Democracy and Cities - Mayor Chow
MM23.14 - Provincial Overreach and Toronto’s Infrastructure - by Councillor Saxe, seconded by Councillor Morley
CC23.1 - Respecting Local Democracy and Cities - Mayor Chow
MM23.14 - Provincial Overreach and Toronto’s Infrastructure - by Councillor Saxe, seconded by Councillor Morley
Cycle Toronto deputed at Executive Committee yesterday urging the city to resist Bill 212 and to make it clear that there isn't a metre or kilometre of bike lane we'll accept being removed.
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Cycle Toronto deputed at Executive Committee yesterday urging the city to resist Bill 212 and to make it clear that there isn't a metre or kilometre of bike lane we'll accept being removed.
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Reminder for Toronto's former Mayor: City Council's 22-4 vote in favour of making the Yonge St bikeways permanent:
Former Toronto Mayor John Tory joined Moore in the Morning to discuss the bike lanes that were installed during his terms and shares where he thinks they work and where they don't.
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Voters in Ward 15 - Don Valley West: today is by-election day!
Polling stations will be open until 8:00 pm. Find out where to vote:
toronto.ca/city-governmen…
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Polling stations will be open until 8:00 pm. Find out where to vote:
toronto.ca/city-governmen…
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Earlier this afternoon the government posted an update on Bill 212, the proposed anti-bike lane legislation. That link now gives a 404 error, but in no uncertain terms it was clear Bill 212 seeks to remove the Bloor St, Yonge St, and University Ave bike lanes.
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“Bike lanes could have saved our daughter”
This was George and Karen Amaro’s message in a letter to Premier Ford urging him to put an end to Bill 212. The bill would block most new bike lanes and possibly lead to the removal of existing ones.
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This was George and Karen Amaro’s message in a letter to Premier Ford urging him to put an end to Bill 212. The bill would block most new bike lanes and possibly lead to the removal of existing ones.
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The bad news is that the provincial government is about to table legislation that would ban most of the currently proposed bike lanes in Ontario. That means new bike lanes like Dupont wouldn't (and couldn't) be built – regardless of what Toronto wants.
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With the population in the area about to explode, we can all agree that it would be best if those new residents don’t have to rely on cars.
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The City of Toronto is planning a bike lane on Dupont from Dundas West all the way to Davenport.
Public consultations are taking place later this year and construction would take place in 2025.
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Public consultations are taking place later this year and construction would take place in 2025.
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Councillor Morley closed the meeting by speaking again about planning for a more sustainable future for the community
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Transportation Services’ Barbara Gray responded to a question asking why bike lanes are often installed on major streets like Bloor. “The most direct route through the city is where everybody wants to be”.
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Another audience member expressed his skepticism about the City of Toronto’s data, which he called “not transparent”
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@CllrAmberMorley took a moment to talk about to talk about avoiding “status quo thinking” when it comes to population growth - there are 4 major transit station areas along Bloor will see thousands of new residents in the coming years
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Baker ended his comments by requesting that the Bloor lanes be moved to “another street”. This suggestion was met with many yelling “which street?”
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Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop responded by explaining that according to the data, emergency response times have actually improved since the Bloor bike lanes were installed
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Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker was in attendance and declared his opposition to the bike lanes. He asked a question about emergency service response times, vaguely implying that firetrucks and ambulances can’t get to calls on time anymore.
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The first speaker from the crowd faced some heckling while highlighting how the bike lanes have made walking and cycling around her neighbourhood feel safer for her and her young kids
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In a few instances, many in the crowd seemed skeptical about the city’s data, including in this moment when city data on travel time increases was shown
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Cycle Toronto and community allies organized a rally and ride to the meeting. As the presentation began, a map was presented showing the area of residence of the people who were in attendance, with most from Etobicoke and along the Bloor corridor.
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Last night, a second town hall concerning the Bloor West bike lanes was held in Etobicoke, this time by Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley
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“People not agreeing with you doesn’t mean you’re ‘neglected’ though”
Cycle Toronto’s Michael Longfield while discussing the provincial government’s proposed legislation that would restrict new bike lanes across Ontario.
Watch the full segment here:
cbc.ca/player/play/vi…
Cycle Toronto’s Michael Longfield while discussing the provincial government’s proposed legislation that would restrict new bike lanes across Ontario.
Watch the full segment here:
cbc.ca/player/play/vi…
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Tonight!
Ride with us to Etobicoke Collegiate Institute and attend the Bloor Complete Street Extension community meeting.
Gather at 5:45 at High Park and Bloor
Leave at 6:00
Meeting at 7:00 at 86 Montgomery Rd
Registration for the meeting is required:
ambermorley.com/bcs-community-…
Ride with us to Etobicoke Collegiate Institute and attend the Bloor Complete Street Extension community meeting.
Gather at 5:45 at High Park and Bloor
Leave at 6:00
Meeting at 7:00 at 86 Montgomery Rd
Registration for the meeting is required:
ambermorley.com/bcs-community-…
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But recently, reports have come out that the Ontario government plans to bring forward legislation that would block the installation of bike lanes where motor vehicle lanes would have to be reduced. This is an existential threat to healthier and more vibrant communities.
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Biking around Toronto in a 2017 episode of TVO’s Political Blind Date, the Premier was candid in his revelation.
He experienced firsthand that to make cycling convenient and practical, you have to make it safe.
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He experienced firsthand that to make cycling convenient and practical, you have to make it safe.
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We agree that “we have to do everything we can” and "one death is way too many".
Already, nearly 5,000 have added their voices to our petition since news leaked of proposed provincial legislation that would limit where municipalities could build new bike lanes.
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Already, nearly 5,000 have added their voices to our petition since news leaked of proposed provincial legislation that would limit where municipalities could build new bike lanes.
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"We have to do everything we can to make sure there’s never a death in the city. One death is way too many when it comes to bicycle riders. We have to make sure that they’re safe."
That was the Premier back in 2017 on TVO's Political Blind Date.
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That was the Premier back in 2017 on TVO's Political Blind Date.
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The provincial government plans to ban new bike lanes that require the removal of car traffic lanes.
This change would severely limit the ability of municipalities across the province to expand their networks of protected bike lanes.
Sign the petition:
cycleto.ca/ilovebikelanes
This change would severely limit the ability of municipalities across the province to expand their networks of protected bike lanes.
Sign the petition:
cycleto.ca/ilovebikelanes
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