Premier Doug Ford’s government has been granted the authority to remove 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes in Toronto, as per a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal for Ontario released on Friday, overturning a previous decision from July 2025. The legislation enabling the province to eliminate bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue was originally enacted at Queen’s Park in 2024. Despite legal challenges from Cycle Toronto and other groups, the bike lanes remained intact in Toronto.
In the 2025 verdict, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas deemed the removal unconstitutional, citing increased risks to individuals’ safety and lives, which implicate the right to life and security. However, a three-judge panel from the Appeal Court stated on Friday that there is no constitutional mandate to control road usage in any specific way. The Ford administration has argued that removing the bike lanes would alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Appeal Court judges’ decision emphasized that the initial ruling exaggerated the potential negative consequences of removing bike lanes, noting that injuries and fatalities would only occur if cyclists opted to ride on roads lacking designated lanes. Ontario’s Transportation Minister, Prabmeet Sarkaria, lauded the court’s ruling as a win for common sense and the separation of powers between elected bodies and the judiciary.
The Ontario Liberals criticized Ford, alleging his desire to dominate Toronto’s governance, while Cycle Toronto’s Executive Director, Michael Longfield, expressed disappointment in the decision, emphasizing that bike lanes do not cause traffic jams and their removal could jeopardize lives. The Appeal Court’s ruling also highlighted that the government is not obligated to heed expert advice received on policy matters.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office disclosed ongoing discussions with the province to strike a balance between road safety for cyclists and vehicular traffic flow. Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford supported the court’s decision, advocating for local authorities to determine bike lane placements. Bradford urged cooperation between the city and the provincial government to move forward constructively.
These developments mark a significant shift in Toronto’s urban planning landscape, emphasizing the complex interplay between legal, political, and safety considerations surrounding bike lane infrastructure in the city.