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July’s edition of Ring & Post features a Charter challenge win, some illuminating new polling data, and a disappointing update for new cycling infrastructure. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- A Message from the Executive Director
- Another Injunction Victory
- Leadership and Staffing Update
- Zero Kilometers
- Eglinton for Everyone
- Danforth-Kingston
- Older Adults Cycling
- Bike Match
- Just for Fun: Pedestrian Pet Peeves
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
- Events
A Message from the Executive Director
Are bike lanes divisive?
Only if you ignore the facts.
According to a recent EKOS poll commissioned by Cycle Toronto, 7 in 10 Torontonians support building protected bike lanes. And nearly 8 in 10 respondents agree the city needs to do more to protect vulnerable road users outside of cars, including pedestrians, seniors, school children, and people riding bikes.
Additional findings include:
- 21% of respondents say they’ve ridden a bike at least once a week in recent months.
- When asked about the real causes of traffic and congestion in Toronto, 74% point to excessive construction and mismanagement, 57% say too many cars and trucks on the road. Only 34% blamed “bike lanes or other curb-lane usage like CafeTO and parking”.
- 62% of Torontonians believe the city’s main streets should offer a balance for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists, rather than be treated as thoroughfares prioritized for cars and parking.
In a recent interview with the Calgary Herald, however, Doug Ford continued to insist the opposite: “People don’t want ‘em. Matter of fact, the majority despise the bike lanes. It’s probably the most popular thing we’ve done.”
Let that sink in: the premier thinks an arbitrary scheme that his own experts know will not solve traffic congestion and will put people’s lives at risk is “the most popular thing we’ve done”.
A “thing” that earned unprecedented rebukes from the experts at Good Roads Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, and Ontario Traffic Council.
A “thing” that cost an Ontario PC MPP her seat in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
“You know something. You’re in a crowd and there’s people of different political stripes and I say: We’re getting rid of the bike lanes. People go wild. Doesn’t matter what political stripe. They go absolutely wild.”
I suggest the premier talk to someone outside his bubble. Back in October 2024 when the legislation was being rushed through Queens Park, George and Karen Amaro reached out to Doug Ford urging him to abandon this scheme: “Bike lanes could have saved our daughter.” They shared their tragic story with CBC Metro Morning about losing their daughter Alex.
They still haven’t heard back from the premier.
With the injunction still in place, there’s an opportunity for Doug Ford to abandon this bad faith culture war and demonstrate real leadership for all Ontarians.
Bike lanes are not a left-right issue. Bike lanes are good for physical and mental health, they reduce pollution and promote cleaner air, they’re relatively inexpensive to build and maintain compared to roads and transit projects, and they’re good for business. At the end of the day, we all just want to get home safely.
-MIchael Longfield
Executive Director
Another Injunction Victory
A win is a win!
An Ontario court has ruled in favour of upholding an injunction protecting the bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University.
The temporary injunction was granted back in April 2025 stopping the provincial government from removing the protected bike lanes before a decision can be made on the merits of the Charter challenge brought by Cycle Toronto, along with individuals Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo, and our legal team with lawyers from Paliare Roland and Ecojustice.
Read more about the ruling on our website.
(Cycle Toronto supporters in front of Queen's Park in June. Photo: Joshua Best)
Leadership and Staffing Update
After three and a half years, Alison Stewart has moved on from the Cycle Toronto staff team. Alison brought unwavering positive energy and a deep commitment to co-creating a more equitable and vibrant cycling city. Please join us in celebrating Alison’s accomplishments at Cycle Toronto and wishing her every success in her future endeavours, including her continued leadership as Toronto’s Bicycle Mayor. On behalf of Cycle Toronto and everyone who rides a bike in this city, thank you, Alison.
Congratulations to Monish Gandhi, elected as our new Board Chair, and Sarah Lamb, elected as new Board Treasurer. Previous Chair Dana O’Born will support Monish as Vice-Chair, and Mark Emilia was reelected as Board President. They will continue to serve alongside Arman Hamidian, David Shellnutt, Graeme Deans, Julia Langer, Lianne Black, Péter Sós, and Simon Minelli on the Board.
We’re pleased to welcome Christy Vo as our new part-time Events Assistant, supporting the team with Bike Valet and Bike Match.
Zero Kilometers
Zero.
That’s the number of kilometres of new bike lanes approved for installation at City Council this week.
As we told Toronto Today, we’ve never seen a cycling report that doesn’t include new bike lanes.
Over a thousand Cycle Toronto supporters wrote to the mayor and city council urging for leadership, not retreat, in the face of Bill 212.
Watch our deputation on YouTube:
(Cycle Toronto deputing at IEC about new bike lanes proposed this quarter.)
Eglinton for Everyone
Toronto City Council already approved back in Spring 2024 connecting the bits of bike lanes between Keele to Mt Pleasant built by the province. With the Crosstown LRT (likely) opening in Fall 2025, having protected and continuous bike lanes on Eglinton is essential to enable more multi-modal trips.
Even Bill 212 makes clear the province’s arbitrary powers to block new bike lanes does not apply if:
"…a contract has already been awarded or entered into for the construction, installation or marking of the bicycle lane or, if the construction, installation or marking of the bicycle lane is to be done by the municipality and not by any party under contract, such work has already commenced."
No more delays. With road work and installation scheduled for Summer 2025, tell the city you support an Eglinton that works for everyone:
Danforth-Kingston
Over 10 kilometres of new bike lanes in Scarborough were approved in principle by City Council in 2021 and 2024, but after a first round of public consultations in June 2024, phase 2 of consultations to shape the future of Danforth Ave. and Kingston Rd. appear in limbo.
Even with the uncertainty of Bill 212, much of the proposed project wouldn’t involve the removal of traffic lanes and must proceed.
We can’t let Scarborough get left behind.
Older Adults Cycling
Cycle Toronto was at City Hall in July to promote the insights and findings outlined in our Pathways to mobility: connecting older adults to active transportation in Toronto report. Alongside Councillors Chris Moise and Alejandra Bravo, and the Chair and Vice Chair of Toronto Board of Public Health, we presented the findings to the Toronto Board of Health.
The report and its recommendations were added for consideration as part of the implementation of the Toronto Public Health Strategic Plan 2024-2025. Read the full report on our website and get a senior cycling today by sharing our Older Adult Cycling Guide.
Bike Match
Cycle Toronto is excited to announce an exciting partnership with Women’s Cycling Network to co-power their bike match program, BikeMatchWCN, supporting community bike hubs across Toronto.
Have an unused bike that needs a new home? Need a bike? Find out more:
Just for Fun: Pedestrian Pet Peeves
A couple of months ago, we asked you about the rules of the road that you play by that others seemingly often ignore.
We wanted to know, from a cycling perspective, what are your biggest pet peeves on the streets of Toronto? What do drivers do to get on your nerves? What do pedestrians do to get under your skin? And how about other cyclists? The more minor the inconvenience, the better. After all, a ‘pet peeve’ is “a minor annoyance that an individual finds particularly irritating to a greater degree than the norm”.
In the last Ring & Post, we covered drivers. This month, we take on the humble pedestrian. Before horses and carriages, and long before bikes, cars, subway trains, scooters, and onewheels, there was but one method of travel around human cities: walking.
Read about our readers’ pedestrian pet peeves on our website in this month’s Just for Fun.
(Pedestrians jostle for space crossing Richmond Street.)
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 regarding an update on our legal challenge. Note: Click image to see original post.)
(A Bluesky post on the recent Ekos poll showing high support for bike lanes in Toronto. Note: Click image to see original post.)
In the Media
Most Torontonians for building protected bike lanes: poll | The Trillium
Majority of Toronto residents support protected bike lanes, poll finds | CTV
Instead of scapegoating cyclists, Toronto needs to complete transit projects: advocates | CP24
Poll shows strong public support for protected bike lanes threatened by Ontario government | Momentum Magazine
La majorité des Torontois contre le démantèlement des pistes cyclables | L’Express
Court dismisses Ford government’s bid to appeal bike lane injunction | CityNews
Court rejects Ford government’s appeal of injunction blocking bike lane removal | Toronto Star
Bike advocates rejoice at latest roadblock to Ford government's attempt to uproot Toronto bike lanes | CBC
Court blocks Premier Ford’s plan to remove Toronto bike lanes—for now | Canadian Cycling Magazine
Doug Ford has hit another roadblock in his battle against bike lanes | Toronto Life
Toronto seniors want to bike, study shows, and advocates want the city to help them get riding | CBC
Why Cycle Toronto wants more older adults to take up biking | CBC Metro Morning
We need to rethink urban cycling for older adults, new report | Momentum Magazine
Toronto’s latest bike lane plan doesn’t propose new lanes for the first time in years | Toronto Today
Toronto’s sidewalks feel more chaotic than ever. Here’s why, and how we can fix them | Toronto Star
Events
Bike Valet at Rogers Stadium
Cycle Toronto is proud to partner with Rogers Stadium at Downsview to provide complimentary and secure bike parking for fans that are cycling to the venue. Simply head to Gate 1 and look for the Cycle Toronto tent. For more information visit the Rogers Stadium website.
(The Cycle Toronto bike valet at Rogers Stadium.)
Community Ride with Charlie’s Freewheels
Join us for a community bike ride with Charlie’s Freewheels as we cycle through Corktown Commons and Riverdale Park West. The ride will end at Parliament Ice Cream Shop.
When: August 11th 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Meet at Charlies Freewheels at 242.5 Queen St. East, End at Parliament Ice Cream Shop
Huntingwood Day
Celebrate the fifth annual Huntingwood Day 2025 with us as we take a family-friendly 18 km tour along Huntingwood Dr., North Scarborough Green Loop and the Finch Hydro Corridor Trail for the final time. The group ride departs at 11:30 am and make sure to stick around for food, drinks and celebrations starting after 1:30 pm.
When: August 16th from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Bridlewood Park at 445 Huntingwood Dr.
Save the Date: Kidical Mass on August 30th
Fun. Freedom. Future. Kidical Mass Toronto is a movement, a party and a celebration of children on bikes. Save the date for August 30th and stay tuned for more info on the long-awaited return of Kidical Mass Toronto.
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Ring & Post. As always, every donation counts to help us continue the work you've read about in this newsletter.
