Ring & Post: June 2025

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Statement from the Executive Director
Bill 212 FAQ Update
Farewell to Bike Month
Help call for cycling infrastructure across Toronto
Pathways to Mobility at Board of Health
Job Opportunities
Just for Fun: Pet Peeves
Social Media Spotlight
In the Media
Events

Statement from the Executive Director

June’s almost over, and despite the premier’s best intentions Bloor, Yonge, and University still have bike lanes.

And they’re bustling.

Our friends at Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition recently shared traffic counts along Bloor in the Annex. Overall over 9,000 bikes were counted in a 24 hour period. And during the peak of afternoon rush hour, bikes even outnumbered cars. (TCBC neither confirmed nor denied, however, Councillor Mammoliti’s theory that it was all inflated by a handful of cyclists riding loops in different hats.)

It’s obvious in retrospect that the province’s rush to start ripping out bike lanes last winter and early spring was timed to resonate with a suburban base. During the colder months, they reasoned popular opinion could be more easily swayed by their false “only one per cent” blustering or pretending the year-round ridership of gig workers doesn’t count.

And no matter what happens next, that we’ve held them off this long is a massive win. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.

It’s clear the whole premise of Bill 212 is false. Ridership is growing. More people are choosing to ride a bike. And Toronto continues pedaling towards becoming an outstanding cycling city.

-Michael Longfield
Executive Director

Bill 212 FAQ Update

Remind me, what’s Bill 212 again?

Bill 212 is the provincial legislation passed by the government of Ontario in November 2024 that amended the Highway Traffic Act to block municipalities (including Toronto) from installing new bike lanes where motor vehicle lanes would have to be reduced and possibly remove existing bike lanes. A late amendment to the legislation from the Minister of Transportation specifically directs the removal of all 19 km of the existing bike lanes on Yonge, Bloor and University.

It would also indemnify the province and any contractors from lawsuits when (not if) people are seriously injured and killed as a result of those removals.

You can read our previous FAQ here before it became law on our website.

Cycle Toronto and our co-applicants, Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo, launched a legal challenge against the legislation in December 2024. Represented by lawyers for Paliare Roland and Ecojustice, our case argues that ripping out bike lanes will put people’s lives at risk and Bill 212 unjustifiably infringes the Charter-protected right to life and security of the person.

It’s almost July. Why hasn’t the province acted on their plan yet?

In response to our legal challenge the province quietly conceded they would not attempt any removals prior to spring 2025.

And to help ensure no removals would proceed prior to the case being heard, we applied for an injunction to stop them. That injunction was denied by the courts in March 2025 on the basis that the balance of convenience favoured the government. It still represented a considerable moral victory as documents released in court, including analysis by the engineering firm CIMA+, reveal that the province has known all along that their anti-bike lane legislation is arbitrary and not in the public interest.

No visible removals were attempted in the preceding weeks, and the full case was heard on April 16, 2025. Because this time the judge had the full argument from both parties, we were granted an interlocutory injunction which prevents the province from any removals until a decision is rendered.

When will there be a decision in that case?

The judge acknowledged it is a serious and complicated constitutional issue, and a decision could take months. As of today, June 28, 2025, there has been no decision and the injunction remains in place.

So the bike lanes are still here. For now.

Why is there an injunction now when there wasn’t before?

Short version, there was a full record of evidence at the April hearing.

And with that full record, the judge agreed there was compelling evidence that Bill 212 would not advance the province’s stated objective to reduce traffic. As the province failed to make a counter argument that removals were urgent, granting an injunction until that decision is rendered does provide a real public benefit in preventing harm.

Isn’t the province appealing the injunction?

After a self-described rant from the premier that questioned judiciary independence, the province indicated their intent to appeal the injunction. Because the interlocutory injunction was granted until the judge renders their decision, however, the province cannot appeal directly. Instead they have to apply for a leave to appeal which involves asking a panel of judges for permission to appeal. If the province is successful, then they could file their appeal at which point our lawyers would be able to respond.

It is just as likely we receive a decision on the legal challenge itself ahead of any ruling about any appeal.

What’s happening with Stantec?

On the eve of their snap election this winter and with the legal challenge still pending, the government of Ontario announced it “retained an engineering company to complete design work, as it prepares to reinstate vehicle lanes on Bloor Street West, Yonge Street and University Avenue”. It was revealed that company was the Canadian engineering firm Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Over 2,500 people joined Cycle Toronto’s Shame on you, Stantec campaign urging the firm to rip up that contract.

Rumours quickly began circulating that the company was regretting the decision. After a protest organised by Fridays for Future in March 2025, Stantec publicly confirmed that their work now only involved designs for only 1.5 kms of removals, and that the firm would no longer be involved.

What section(s) of Bloor, Yonge, and/or University that 1.5 kms involve are still not public.

No other company has yet been publicly connected with any new or ongoing design work for the remaining 17.5 km.

What did the recent provincial budget have to do with the bike lane removals?

While no specific money was earmarked for this undertaking (recall the city estimated that the removal of nearly 19 km of bike lanes could cost nearly $50M), the provincial budget further amended some of the bike lane removal language of Bill 212 (now Part XII.1 of the Highway Traffic Act). Most notably the removals now specifically include the continuation of University Avenue north of College Street along Queen’s Park Crescent and Avenue Road.

I’ve seen in the news stories about a compromise between the city and the province. What does that mean?

All of these bike lanes were approved by Toronto City Council. In the case of the Bloor West bike lanes in Etobicoke, have been approved by City Council in four separate votes under two Mayors.

While Mayor Chow and City Council passed a strong resolution opposing the jurisdictional overreach of Bill 212 back in November 2025 (complete with a half-joking pledge if the removals go through to put up signs reading “This road congestion and traffic delay is the result of Premier Ford's Bill 212”), the city has limited options as it’s been tested in court that cities are a creature of the province.

While we’re encouraged to hear the mayor’s steadfast commitment to keeping the bike lanes (and some less strident language of late from the minister and premier), reconfiguring the bike lanes to restore travel lanes will not achieve the stated goal of addressing traffic congestion.

Cycle Toronto remains committed to our legal challenge which, if successful, we believe would prevent any provincially-mandated removals or reconfigurations.

Add your name if you haven’t already.

Farewell to Bike Month

Bike Month is officially wrapping up this weekend, and we’re sad to be saying farewell to what was a busy calendar of fun and informative cycling events.

We kicked things off with Bike to Work Day on June 4th. Hundreds joined us for the annual group ride to Nathan Phillips Square. We rode along Yonge, Bloor, and University to celebrate some of the incredible infrastructure in our city.

Thousands of students across the GTA also took part in Bike to School Week, helping enable and encourage more families to choose active transportation for physical and mental health.

Be sure to check out some events happening this weekend, but rest assured we’re not hitting the brakes. We’ll have more events all summer and into fall because every month can be bike month.

See you at Bike to Work Day 2026!

(Bike to Work Day 2025. Image: Joshua Best.)

Help call for better cycling infrastructure across Toronto

Danforth-Kingston

Originally approved as part of the 2022-2024 Cycling Network Plan and carried forward to the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan, the eastward continuation of the Danforth bike lanes into Ward 20 - Scarborough Southwest and Ward 24 - Scarborough-Guildwood appears in limbo.

Much of the proposed project could be facilitated as part of planned road work and not involve the removal of vehicle travel lanes, but residents are still waiting for another public consultation. Scarborough can’t get left behind. Add your name to DanforthKingston4All’s petition:

SIGN THE PETITION

Malvern Connections

As part of the Council-approved 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan, the City of Toronto has proposed new cycling infrastructure in Malvern in Ward 23 - Scarborough North.

A survey is also open until July 8th for community members to give their feedback on the proposed changes:

GIVE FEEDBACK

Brimorton Upgrades

The existing painted bike lanes on Brimorton Drive between Brimley Road and Markham Road in Ward 21 - Scarborough Centre and Ward 24 - Scarborough-Guildwood were approved for upgrades to protected cycle tracks as part of the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan. A public consultation was held earlier this year, but a second consultation has yet to be announced.

Show your support for this potential transformative change by emailing your local councillors today:

EMAIL YOUR COUNCILLOR

Jones Upgrades

As part of planned road resurfacing, upgrading the painted bike lanes on Jones Avenue between Dundas Avenue and Queen Street to protected cycle tracks in Ward 14 - Toronto-Danforth was approved as part of the 2022-2024 Cycling Network Plan. But recent news reports suggest the upgrades are at risk of being cancelled due the impact to street parking along the corridor.

East End 4 All’s petition to say you support protected bike lanes on Jones:

SIGN THE PETITION

Expanding Mobility Options for Older Adults

On Monday, July 7th the Toronto Board of Health will be discussing the Toronto Public Health Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and we will be there to present the findings of our report: Pathways to Mobility: Connecting older adults to active transportation in Toronto. Read about our project.

Join us at City Hall as we shed light on how biking is a powerful tool for improving the physical and mental health of older adults by improving their fitness and mobility with improved access to cycling programs, adaptive e-bike styles and safe infrastructure. When the needs of seniors are better reflected in the public realm, everyone benefits.

When: Monday, July 7th, 9:30 am

Where: City hall (100 Queen St. West), Committee Room 1

Why: Help us advance our mission of building a vibrant cycling city for people of all ages and abilities at the Toronto Board of Health will be discussing the Toronto Public Health Strategic Plan 2024-2028

Job Opportunities

Interested in working with Cycle Toronto? We’re hiring Bike Valet Attendants for casual employment.

Bike valet is a convenient and secure bicycle parking service available free-of-charge at many concerts and other events. Like a coat-check service, people can check their bikes with attendants who provide a numbered tag. When the person returns, they present the tag to retrieve their bike. The Bike Valet Attendant will be responsible for providing excellent customer service to enable the smooth running of operations for bike check and retrieval.

Learn more about how to apply by visiting our website.

(Cycle Toronto staff and volunteers at Nathan Phillips Square. Image: Joshua Best)

Just for Fun: Pet Peeves

In the last Ring & Post, 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”.

Thank you to the hundreds of you who answered the call and took to our survey to vent. It took a little while to comb through all of the responses, but in doing so, it was easy to notice certain themes coming up again and again.

Read about them on our website in this month’s Just for Fun.

READ JUST FOR FUN

(A contraflow lane. Image: City of Toronto)

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 is a highlight from this month:

(An Instagram post featuring photos and videos from Bike to Work Day. Note: Click image to visit original post.)