Premier Doug Ford’s administration has been granted the authority to dismantle 19 kilometers of safeguarded bike lanes in Toronto, as ruled by the Ontario Court of Appeal in a judgment issued on Friday, overturning a previous decision from July 2025.
The legislation enabling the removal of bike lanes along Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue was initially passed in 2024 at Queen’s Park. Despite legal challenges launched by Cycle Toronto and other advocacy groups, the infrastructure remained in place on Toronto’s roads.
In the 2025 ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas deemed the removal unconstitutional, citing the increased risk of harm and death to individuals, which he believed violated the right to life and security.
However, a panel of three Appeal Court judges stated on Friday that there is no constitutional requirement to dictate road usage in a specific manner. The Ford government has argued that eliminating the bike lanes would alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area.
The judges emphasized that Schabas’s ruling exaggerated the adverse effects of removing bike lanes, suggesting that injuries and fatalities would only occur if cyclists opt to ride on roads lacking designated lanes.
Ontario’s transportation minister, Prabmeet Sarkaria, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling it a victory for common sense and the separation of responsibilities between elected bodies and the judiciary. The Ministry of Transportation has not disclosed when the removal of bike lanes will commence.
Following the ruling, Premier Ford lauded the decision as a triumph for common sense. In response, the provincial Liberals accused him of seeking to dominate city planning, insinuating that his focus should be broader than just Toronto.
Michael Longfield, the executive director of Cycle Toronto, criticized the ruling as a setback for evidence-based policymaking, emphasizing that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion but rather enhance road safety. He highlighted that Ontario’s plans were forged without considering expert advice suggesting the move would not achieve its intended goal of reducing traffic congestion.
The Appeal Court’s decision underscored that legislative policy is not arbitrary solely due to dissenting opinions from advisors and experts. It concluded that the government is not obliged to adhere to expert recommendations on a given topic.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office affirmed the city’s commitment to balancing vehicle flow with cyclist safety. They emphasized the importance of ensuring safety for all road users, whether they are walking, biking, or driving.
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford advocated for local governments to have authority over street planning decisions rather than relying on judicial interventions. He urged the province to allow municipalities to lead in such matters.
Bradford, who pledged to remove bike lanes along Bloor Street West if elected, criticized the legal delays and emphasized the need for collaborative decision-making between the city and the province. Mayor Chow responded by expressing disappointment in Councilmember Bradford’s stance, advocating for municipal autonomy in determining the city’s future.