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April’s edition of Ring & Post features a Bill 212 update, an invitation to our 2025 AGM, and a sneak preview of this year’s Bike Month. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- Statement from the Executive Director
- Cycle Toronto’s 2025 Annual General Meeting
- Injunction Denied, Injunction Granted, Injunction Appealed...?
- Bike Month Is Around the Corner
- RapidTO Dufferin
- Bike Share Wants Your Opinion
- Just For Fun: Parking on the Sidewalk
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
-
Events
- Ride of Silence
- Doors Open
- AGM
- Bike to Work Day
Statement from the Executive Director
“Don’t the judges have anything better to do than worry about if we’re taking out bike lanes or not taking out bike lanes?”
That was Premier Ford’s self-described “rant” about the injunction awarded to Cycle Toronto, our co-applicants Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo, and our legal team at Ecojustice and Paliare Roland.
Two Superior Court justices have found that our constitutional challenge—that arbitrarily ripping out protected bike lanes may violate people’s Section 7 Charter rights—is serious, credible, and complex. The injunction stops the province from proceeding until a decision is made.
Over the past eight months, I have been worrying a lot about if they’re taking out bike lanes or not taking out bike lanes. If you’re reading this, I know you have too. Professionally as the executive director of Cycle Toronto, helping fight back is the most important thing I can do. And my ongoing recovery and rehab from getting doored in December has made this feel personal, too.
Thanks to your support, we’ve already achieved incredible things. Despite the province’s reckless urgency, all 19 km of bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University are still on the ground. Thousands of people rely on them every day.
Frustration is growing with a government that’s distracted and fuelled by spite. The facts are clear: ripping out bike lanes won't solve congestion and will put people's lives at risk. Their own experts agree. More and more people are asking, doesn't the premier of Ontario have anything better to do than worry about if we’re taking out bike lanes or not taking out bike lanes?
So drop the bad faith culture war. Show real leadership and rescind Bill 212 before the courts strike it down. And I give you my word that we will be gracious in victory.
-Michael Longfield, Executive Director
Cycle Toronto’s 2025 Annual General Meeting
We’re excited to announce that Cycle Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 at 6:30 pm. Please save the date – more information on the location will be shared soon!
The AGM is your opportunity to reflect on our shared progress, celebrate wins, and participate in shaping the future of Cycle Toronto.
After the formal meeting wraps, there will be an opportunity for members to discuss the future of Cycle Toronto’s campaign priorities and engagement work as we prepare to navigate the ongoing impacts of Bill 212.
Please note: the AGM is a members-only event. If you’re reading this email our records show you are currently not an active Cycle Toronto member. Join today and help power our movement:
(Did we make a mistake about your membership status? Please contact us at [email protected] if you believe there has been an error.)
Injunction Denied, Injunction Granted, Injunction Appealed…?
The past months have been a legal whirlwind. To recap:
On March 11th, our lawyers from Paliare Roland and Ecojustice argued for an injunction to prevent the province from ripping out any bike lanes until our Charter challenge against Bill 212 could be heard. Documents released in court revealed that the province’s own experts agree that ripping out bike lanes will not ease traffic congestion and will put people’s lives at risk.
On March 14th, our injunction was denied. But in his ruling the judge agreed that our Charter challenge was a serious case to be tried.
On April 16th, we had our day in court and argued that the province’s arbitrary and reckless scheme to rip out protected bike lanes was a violation of peoples’ Section 7 Charter rights. Our legal team made a strong case on the facts and the Constitutional arguments.
On April 23rd, we were granted an injunction that will ensure that the bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University will remain in place until the judge presiding over our Charter challenge makes his decision–a decision that could take weeks if not months to consider the seriousness of the matter.
On May 7th, coming off an indignant rant from the premier that had a few inconsistencies with the truth and seriously undermined judiciary independence, the province took the first formal step to appeal the injunction. At this rate, it is just as likely we receive a ruling on the case ahead of any decision on the leave to appeal is made. This intent to appeal is a distraction, fuelled by spite.
The facts are clear: ripping out bike lanes won't solve congestion and will put people's lives at risk. The provincial government's own experts agree. The provincial government continues to confirm they don't care about the facts.
TL;DR the injunction remains in effect and there is no immediate threat to the bike lanes.
Read more on our website:
Province's internal documents reveal province knows Bill 212 not in the public interest
Cycle Toronto granted injunction to save bike lanes
Fuelled by Spite: Province takes first step to appeal injunction
(Scenes from our Rally for Justice held on the evening before our Charter challenge hearing. Photos: Joshua Best)
Bike Month is Around the Corner
It’s your favourite cyclists’ favourite month – Bike Month! This June, ring in bike month with Cycle Toronto as we congest a cargo-tonne of events in 30 days. Bike month is for all people of all riding abilities. It’s a chance to learn new skills, develop old ones, connect with your community and celebrate your favourite two-wheeled machine (more or less two but who’s counting?). And be sure to join us on Wednesday, June 4th for the annual Bike to Work Day group commute and pancake breakfast:
Check out our calendar as we’ll be hosting fun, family-friendly events all throughout June. Submit your own event to promote to like-minded folks!
Bike to School Week
And what better way to kick off Bike Month than schools all across the GTA coordinating rides and events that promote safe and active transportation? June 2nd - 6th is Bike to School Week! Encourage your school or your child’s school to register and take part. There’s many ways to get involved. You can plan a route and lead a group ride to school. Volunteers can help set up bicycle safety checks or you can spread the word about all the positive impacts biking to school can have. Keep it moving June 2nd - 6th!
RapidTO Dufferin
As part of the much delayed RapidTO program, The City of Toronto and the TTC are working on a plan to create a bus + bike priority lane on Dufferin from King to Eglinton to speed up the chronically delayed 29 Dufferin bus.
While RapidTO lanes do not meet the standard of all ages and ability cycling infrastructure, they can still contribute to overall traffic calming and create more comfortable spaces for confident cyclists while moving more people more efficiently.
Want to share your opinion on the project? There are plenty of ways to do so:
- Complete the City of Toronto survey before May 26th
- Register for the virtual public meeting on May 13th
-
Attend an in-person public consultation:
Consultation 1:
When: May 15th from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Stella Maris Catholic School Gymnasium at 31 Ascot Avenue
Consultation 2:
When: May 20th from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Mary Catholic Academy Cafeteria at 66 Dufferin Park Avenue
(RapidTO Eglinton East. Image: City of Toronto)
Bike Share Wants Your Opinion
Bike Share is expanding and is looking for feedback to develop their growth plan. Want to share your opinion on where new stations should be located? Submit your ideas via their interactive map tool or a short survey on their website by clicking here.
(A map of existing and planned Bike Share stations. Image: Bike Share)
Just for Fun: Parking on the Sidewalk
Parking on the sidewalk is super convenient. It’s so practical – you’ve got groceries to unload. You didn’t see any free spots. Plus, you’re only going to be there for 5 minutes. For drivers, it surely seems like one of life’s simple pleasures.
The practice has slowly but surely become routine in Toronto. On at least one street in the west end, it’s now completely ordinary, everyday behaviour.
So it’s important to ask:
Do we really want to live in a city where parking on the sidewalk is the norm?
Read our attempt at answering that question on our site in this month’s Just for Fun.
(Scenes from cities where sidewalks have lost the battle against cars.)
Social Media Spotlight
Can’t get enough Cycle Toronto content? As we near the end of this month’s Ring & Post, you may find yourself already yearning for more. Although our newsletter is monthly, we post on our social media channels daily. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, or TikTok to stay up-to-date on Cycle Toronto news and events. Here are some highlights from this month:
(A Bluesky post on the injunction granted in our Charter challenge – click the image above to visit the original post.)
(An Instagram reel fact checking Premier Ford’s recent rant on Cycle Toronto’s injunction - click the image above to visit the original post.)
In the Media
Spacing Radio 087 – Featuring Cycle Toronto’s Michael Longfield | Spacing
Judge pauses Toronto bike lane removals until Charter challenge is decided | Toronto Star
Judge temporarily blocks Ford government’s bike lane removals | Globe & Mail
Court grants injunction to stop Ontario from removing 3 major Toronto bike lanes | City News
Injunction granted preventing removal of Toronto bike lanes | CTV
Reaction to Ontario court’s decision to pause Toronto bike lane removals | Global News
Ontario judge grants injunction to pause removal of Toronto bike lanes | Global News
Ford government to appeal injunction blocking Toronto bike lane removals | The Trillium
Ford rants about 'bleeding-heart judges' who are 'overruling the government' | CBC
Ontario to ask for appeal of court order pausing Toronto bike lane removal | Globe & Mail
Ontario takes 1st step to appeal injunction preventing it from removing Toronto bike lanes | CBC
Ford government appeals injunction barring the removal of Toronto bike lanes | The Trillium
Doug Ford railed against a judge for delaying the removal of bike lanes. Now he’s filed an appeal | Toronto Star
Doug Ford’s unjustified contempt for courts | Globe & Mail
Doug Ford said he would protect Ontario, so why is he doing the opposite? | Toronto Star
Events
Ride of Silence hosted by Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists (ARC)
When: Wednesday, May 21st at 6:30 pm
Where: Matt Cohen Park
This is a worldwide event remembering loved ones who have been killed riding their bikes on our streets. The Toronto ride will end at Nathan Phillips Square where the names of cyclists who have been killed in the GTA in the past decade will be read out. You never ride alone.
Doors Open 401 Richmond
When: Saturday, May 24th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: 401 Richmond Street West
Cycle Toronto Annual General Meeting
When: Wednesday, May 28th at 7:00 pm
Where: Location TBD
Bike to Work Day
When: Wednesday, June 4th – Meet at 7:15 am, Ride at 7:30 am
Where: Meet at Ramsden Park and ride to Nathan Phillips Square
(Participants arrive to Nathan Phillips Square on Bike to Work Day 2024.)
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Ring & Post. As always, every member counts to help us continue the work you've read about in this newsletter.
