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August’s edition of the Ring & Post features an update on our victory, gearing up for our biggest fundraiser of the year, and an invite to a plethora of summer events. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- Statement from the Executive Director
- We won–and we’re ready to defend it.
- The Big Toronto Bike Ride 2025
- Ghost Bike Ride with ARC
- Just for Fun: Beautifying Bike Lanes
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
-
Events
- Weston Community Walk and Ride
- Crescent Town Summer Party
- Kidical Mass TO is back!
- Ride & Learn: Community Land Trusts
- StART Cycle Track Murals Launch and First Ride
- BikeMatchWCN Donation Drop-off Event
- Just Bluffing Around - Community Ride & Picnic
Statement from the Executive Director
Have three Canadian provinces really uncovered the “cheat code” to solving traffic congestion that’s eluded cities around the world? A recent obsession with bike lanes might have you wondering.
Ontario passed Bill 212 last fall, restricting municipalities from building new bike lanes and giving the province the power to remove existing ones. That legislation targets ripping out 19 km of bike lanes in Toronto.
Nova Scotia passed Bill 24 this spring, allowing the province to override municipal transportation decisions including bike lanes. This followed a doomed attempt by Halifax’s mayor to pause its bike lane plans against the will of city council.
Alberta is “actively reviewing” existing and planned bike lanes with the mayors of Calgary and Edmonton and remains coy about introducing its own legislation.
This is an anomaly. No other jurisdiction in the world has tried to systematically dictate where cities can or can’t build bike lanes. (U.S. President Donald Trump recently mused about scrapping New York City’s bike lanes, but despite his affinity for frivolous executive orders, he never followed through.) Canada, meanwhile, now has three.
Yes, under our Constitution, municipalities are “creatures of the provinces.” And to date, no bike lanes have been explicitly blocked or removed. But it’s not for lack of trying.
In Ontario, a court recently dismissed the province’s claims as arbitrary and ruled that the intent to remove protected bike lanes in Toronto was unconstitutional, finding that it would violate section 7 Charter-protected rights to life and security of the person.
Internal documents released as part of those legal proceedings seriously question the stated purpose of the legislation. The province’s own experts agree that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion, but that removing them will put people’s lives at risk.
A new EKOS poll commissioned by Cycle Toronto shows the majority of Torontonians disapprove of these removals and seven in 10 support building protected bike lanes. And nearly eight in 10 agree that the city needs to do more to protect those vulnerable road users outside of cars including cyclists. In Toronto’s mayoral byelection that saw Olivia Chow’s victory, more than 85 per cent of voters rejected the divisive rhetoric of candidates who tried to use bike lanes as a wedge issue. To put it like former Mayor Rob Ford might recognize: the war on the war on the car is over.
While Ottawa has no direct authority over municipal bike lanes (no more than any province did before last fall), it’s now overdue that Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Transport Chrystia Freeland exercise federal soft power to ensure the provinces abandon these bike lane schemes.
And if they won’t act voluntarily, Ottawa needs to be prepared to use tools such as publicly affirming municipalities’ right to plan their own streets and tying infrastructure funding to that principle to keep those provinces from jeopardizing the collective national interest.
This isn’t about ideology. It’s about geometry. We simply don’t have enough space to keep indulging magical thinking that every person can drive for every trip.
We can reject the orthodoxy that bike lanes are a left-right issue. When Carney began serving as Governor of the Bank of England in 2012, Conservative party stalwart Boris Johnson was overseeing a historic expansion of London’s cycling network as mayor.
To meet this moment facing an unprecedented trade war and economic uncertainty, a Team Canada approach must ensure cities don’t get left behind. And that includes protecting cities’ authority to rebalance their streets so everyone can get home safely.
-Michael Longfield
Executive Director
Originally published in The Toronto Star on August 1st, 2025.
We won–and we’re ready to defend it.
Cycle Toronto, along with individuals Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo, have won their Charter challenge against Ontario’s reckless and arbitrary Bill 212 — Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024.
The victory prevents the removal of the targeted bike lanes on Bloor Street, University Avenue, and Yonge Street.
Thank you again for your support. This win is yours.
(Cycle Toronto executive director Michael Longfield speaks the day after a decision was reached. Photo: Joshua Best)
The decision in Cycle Toronto v. Ontario affirmed that the Charter exists to protect the rights of all Canadians, regardless of the whims of this or any government. Unfortunately, Premier Ford is questioning the rule of law and undermining the decision of the judiciary. The facts are clear that the Ontario government is ignoring its own experts and wasting taxpayer money by indulging in magical thinking that everyone can drive for every trip. This year alone, more Torontonians have been killed in traffic collisions than in homicides. Ripping out protected bike lanes will not reduce the time you are stuck in traffic.
Read more from pundits praising across the political spectrum:
Andrew Coyne, The Globe and Mail:
Nothing in the decision obliges the government to build new bicycle lanes. As such it involves no “positive rights,” which conservatives are right to oppose. It simply requires that before a government takes the extraordinary step of ordering the removal of lanes that have already been built – an action guaranteed to cost some lives and put many more in peril – it ought at least to have some basis in evidence or logic for doing so.
As Schabas relates in his examination of the facts of the case, Ford and his ministers filled the political atmosphere last fall with bogus claims, both about the allegedly low ridership on existing bike lanes and their purported impact on traffic across the city. The applicants, in turn, methodically dug up all sorts of government evidence to the contrary, including advice provided to cabinet by its own policy officials.
There is no Charter right to bike lanes, before or after Schabas’s decision. The only thing bike lanes and the Charter have in common is that they both protect cyclists, a fact which drives Ford, his cabinet, and the PC majority in the legislature to distraction. This week’s decision was about something both much simpler and far more important: the threshold a government needs to meet before it can cause harm to its citizens, and how many falsehoods it can tell in the process.
Leonid Sirota, Double Aspect blog:
When I started writing this post, I thought that Justice Schabas must be wrong, though it was a closer call than many of his critics allowed. I have changed my mind. This won’t be a popular opinion, but I think that, while counterintuitive — including to me — his decision is correct, given the unusual circumstances of the case. But even if it were not, the demands for the notwithstanding clause to be used to deal with his judgment are as uncalled for as they are predictable.
The strength of the evidence and the reasoning of the decision gives our incredible lawyers from Ecojustice and Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP confidence as we head to the Court of Appeal for Ontario to defend our win for people in Toronto and across the province.
Read our media release with Ecojustice.
(The ride ends at Queen’s Park. Photo: Joshua Best.)
The Big Toronto Bike Ride 2025
The big ride is back for another year! Join us on a lively all ages and abilities slow roll around town, and connect with other cyclists at the post-ride gathering.
Who: You!
When: Sunday, October 5th at 4:00 pm
Where: Northwest corner of Christie Pits Park
Why: To celebrate our big win and fundraise to help us continue the fight
How: Register now
Join us to celebrate our big win to save Toronto’s bike lanes, help us continue our work in the next phase of the campaign, and help us continue to foster a culture of cycling city-wide. Participants can choose to fundraise individually or as a team with their family, friends, or colleagues.
At the end of the ride, the recipient of this year’s Alex Amaro Cycling Kindness Award will be announced. Nominations are open until Monday, September 15th.
Have questions about fundraising or the ride? Visit our Big Toronto Bike Ride FAQ page on our website or email us at [email protected].
Ghost Bike Ride with ARC
(Samuel Willetts. Image: Toronto Star)
28-year-old Samuel Willetts was struck by a driver while riding his bike on July 18th, 2025. Tragically he died in hospital from his injuries on July 31. Cycle Toronto expresses our deepest sympathies to Samuel’s family and friends. Read Samuel’s story here.
54 people have been killed as a result of traffic violence in Toronto so far this year, all as the result of driver collisions. These are not accidents. And more people will senselessly die on our roads as long as we continue to prioritize perceived convenience over safety. (As a comparison, there have been 26 reported homicides, 14 of which by shootings.)
Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists (ARC) is leading a Ghost Bike Ride for Samuel on September 20th. Find out more on Facebook.
Just for Fun: Beautifying Bike Lanes
Have you noticed that cycling infrastructure around town has been getting a bit of a glow up lately? Just outside of the Cycle Toronto headquarters, the low concrete walls that provide a protective barrier for cyclists on Richmond have been adding colour and excitement to Cycle Toronto staff commutes for a few years now.
These beautiful murals that you’ve noticed adorning cycling infrastructure across town are brought to you by StreetARToronto's Concrete Barrier Program.
The latest addition to the collection of StART bike lane projects around town will be located on Lansdowne between Dundas and Rideau Avenue. On Sunday, September 7th, these pieces will be unveiled at a special event that’s open to the public. Cycle Toronto will be there – want to come?
In this month’s Just for Fun, learn more about StreetARToronto’s Concrete Barrier Program and hear from the artists behind the new pieces to be unveiled on Lansdowne.
(StART program artists painting a bike lane barrier wall. Photo: Kwame Newman-Bremang)
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:
(An Instagram post showing Cycle Toronto staff outside of Queen’s Park on the evening of our Victory Rally. Photo: Joshua Best.)
Note: Click above image to visit original post.
(A Bluesky post announcing our win. Photo: Joshua Best.)
Note: Click above image to visit original post.
In the Media
Opinion: Bike lanes are a local issue. When will the federal government step up and tell the provinces to stay in their lane? | Toronto Star
Michael Longfield, Executive Director at Cycle Toronto, talks to John Tory | Newstalk1010
Ripping out bike lanes...the Province's move is now legally dead | CBC Metro Morning
Ontario court strikes down Ford government's plan to remove Toronto bike lanes | CBC
Ford government’s attempt to remove Toronto bike lanes is unconstitutional, judge rules | Toronto Star
Court strikes down planned Toronto bike lane removals | Toronto Today
Ontario court strikes down Ford government’s plan to tear up Toronto bike lanes as unconstitutional | CP24
Ford government to appeal court ruling which deemed bike lane removal unconstitutional | Global News
Court rules Ford government’s bike lane removal plan is unconstitutional | City News
Cycle Toronto wins Charter challenge, saving bike lanes in city | Canadian Cycling Magazine
Court strikes down Ford plan to remove Toronto bike lanes | Canada’s National Observer
Why we don’t bike like the Dutch — yet | Great Lakes Now
Episode #2531 Making The Case For Bikes | Bike Talk
Edmonton bike advocates celebrate Ontario court ruling as province mulls similar legislation | CBC
Bike lanes again a hot topic | Edmonton AM
Ford accuses judge in Toronto bike lanes case of ‘trampling on democratic rights’ | Global News
Ford slams Ontario court bike lane ruling, vows to continue Highway 401 tunnel plan | CBC
A government can’t kill people for no reason? When will this judicial madness end?! | The Globe & Mail
Bike lanes: 2 — Ford Nation: 0 | Spacing
ANALYSIS: What exactly does the court’s bike-lane decision mean? | TVO
The Bike Lanes and the Clown Cars | Double Aspect
The premiers are using bike lanes as a political scapegoat | Globe and Mail
Opinion | On traffic congestion, Doug Ford has tried nothing — and he’s all out of ideas | Toronto Star
Doug Ford government appeals bike lane ruling | Toronto Star
Ford government appeals court ruling on Toronto bike lane removals | CityNews
Ford government formally appeals ruling deeming Toronto bike lane removal unconstitutional | Global News
Ford government appeals Superior Court decision on Toronto bike lanes | CP24
Ontario appeals court ruling that blocked Toronto bike lane removals | CBC
Ford government appeals decision blocking its bike lane removals | The Trillium
Surprsing no one, Ford government takes bike lane fight to Ontario Court of Appeal | Canadian Cycling Magazine
Events
Weston Community Walk and Ride
Bike Share Toronto, Jane's Walk and Cycle Toronto are teaming up to celebrate the arrival of new bike share stations in Weston. Join us for a community walk and bike ride to learn about Weston’s rich cycling history, discover how bike share fits into local mobility, and how we can build a more connected community.
Cycle Toronto will be leading the ride which starts at the new Bike Share station at Weston Lions Park and continues along the Humber River Trail. This is a family friendly ride however basic biking skills are required.
When: Saturday, August 23rd from 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Where: Weston Village BIA Farmer’s Market (34 John Street, York)
Crescent Town Summer Party
Join us for music, activities and biking fun as we celebrate the end of summer with Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMachon in Crescent Town.
When: Tuesday, August 26th from 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: Crescent Town Square
Evergreen Brick Works Block Party
The Brick Works is transforming into a neighbourhood Block Party every Thursday in August! Come early to enjoy food, drinks and games on the patio. Catch your favourite Cycling Educators there this Thursday and pick up a 2025 Toronto Cycling Map, gather resources or information about cycling and bring your bike for a safety check.
When: Thursday, August 28th from 3:30 - 7:00 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Avenue)
Kidical Mass TO is back!
Kidical Mass is an international movement for child- and cycling-friendly cities. Kidical Mass rides are an all ages and abilities celebrating cycling and highlighting the need for healthier cities. Cycle Toronto is proud to be powering the return of KidicalMassTO on the last Saturday of every month until October.
The inaugural ride of 2025 is from Corktown Commons to Biidaasige Park (about 3 km).
Kids and their grown-ups will ride their bikes together. Rides will take participants along multi-use paths, quiet streets, and dedicated cycling infrastructure, supported by Cycle Toronto ride guides.
When: Saturday, August 30th, Meet at 9:30 am, Depart at 10:00 am
Where: Corktown Common (155 Bayview Avenue)
Ride & Learn: Community Land Trusts
Ever wonder how Toronto fights gentrification and keeps its soul? Join our unique bike tour to discover how! This ride includes informational speeches from the Kensington Market Community Land Trust and Community and Cultural Spaces Land Trust. See firsthand how communities are reclaiming land to secure affordable housing, protect local shops, and create permanent spaces for artists. The end of the ride will feature a small social with snacks.
When: Wednesday, September 3rd from 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Where: Kensington Avenue & St. Andrew Street (54 Kensington Avenue)
StART Cycle Track Murals Launch and First Ride
StreetARToronto (StART), an initiative of the City of Toronto’s Transportation Services division, is hosting the StART Cycle Track Murals Launch and First Ride in collaboration with the City of Toronto’s Cycling and Pedestrians Unit and Cycle Toronto.
Join us for a ride and see the beautiful new bikeways on Lansdowne!
When: Sunday, September 7th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: West Lodge Park (165 Lansdowne Avenue)
BikeMatchWCN Donation Drop-off Event
Have a bike you no longer need? BikeMatch helps families all over Toronto get access to used bikes at no cost. Cycle Toronto is proud to be partnered with Women Cycling Network, and providing bikes for our partners with Access Alliance, Scarborough Cycles, Culture Link, and Gateway Bike Hub. Stop by the Cycle Toronto tent and we’ll ensure your gently used bike finds a new home.
When: Monday, September 8th from 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: Sorauren Park (289 Sorauren Avenue)
Just Bluffing Around - Community Ride & Picnic
Join Danforth-Kingston 4 All for a family-friendly group ride and community picnic in support of a healthier and more vibrant Scarborough.
When: Sunday, September 21st from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Bluffers Park (1 Brimley Road)
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.
