March’s edition of Ring & Post features an update on our legal challenge, an introduction to a fresh face at Cycle Toronto, and some news on some new cycling infrastructure. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- Statement from the Executive Director
- Welcome, Arezoo
- Stantec’s (Partial) Surrender
- Injunction Update: A Disappointment but not a Setback
- The 2025 Provincial Election
- Bike Lanes Keep Toronto's Food Couriers Safe
- 12 Kilometres of New Bike Lanes Approved
- Danforth-Kingston 4 All Volunteer Opportunities
- The Coldest Day of the Year Ride 2025
- Bike Month is Around the Corner
- Job Opportunities
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
- Events
Statement from the Executive Director
Five years ago, I was a few months into my first tour of duty at Cycle Toronto as Acting Executive Director on a one-year contract. Keagan Gartz, who had recently succeeded Jared Kolb, was on parental leave and had entrusted me with a clear work plan and a team ready to go.
But you know what they say about best-laid plans....
As the pandemic hit and “social distancing” became the norm, cities around the world began prioritising active transportation. The human toll of COVID—especially on vulnerable populations—can’t be minimised. But it also sparked a “bike boom” unlike anything North America had seen in 40 years. Cycling became a practical, safe, and joyful way to move through the city.
Urged by advocates, Toronto rolled out ActiveTO—quiet streets and weekend road closures. I still can’t quite believe what Lake Shore Blvd. W. looked like in May 2020, with over 20,000 people out on bikes. It affirmed what I’d always believed—Toronto is a great cycling city.
That year brought over 40 km of new bike lanes, including on University Ave. and Bloor St., with Yonge St. to follow. Prioritising bike lanes along transit corridors was a feature, not a bug. Mayor Tory called it a “transit relief valve,” but it hinted at a bolder vision for a more multi-modal future.
Was it too much, too fast? Did we fly too close to the sun on wings made of flexiposts?
Or is today’s backlash—pandering to suburban voters at the expense of urban residents—the result of not going far enough, fast enough?
Paris started at the same pace. But unlike Toronto they kept going. Five years later Paris is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.
The past is past. But the future’s still unwritten. Despite our recent legal setback, our fight continues as we head toward the April 16 Charter challenge.
Despite a devastating loss in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, the government’s baseless bluster has resumed. It’s not too late for Ontario to change course on this reckless scheme. But when it comes to this provincial government’s track record of overpromising and underdelivering... I’m still waiting for my buck-a-beer.
-Michael Longfield
Executive Director
(Tens of thousands of cyclists enjoyed the ActiveTO Lake Shore Blvd. W. car-free weekends. Image: BlogTO.)
Welcome, Arezoo
Cycle Toronto welcomed a new member to the team this month, Arezoo Najibzadeh. Arezoo is our new Development Officer, and brings 10 years of progressive leadership in fund development and partnership management to the role. She will manage relationships with our members and donors, and oversee fundraising initiatives to sustainably grow Cycle Toronto’s impact and capacity.
“I’m excited to join Cycle Toronto as their new Development Officer. Cycle Toronto has been a driving force in making our city safer, greener, and more connected through its advocacy, education, and community engagement.
I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and help raise the funds needed to support this crucial work, because we all deserve streets that work for everyone, whether it’s biking to work, running errands, or enjoying a ride with family and friends.”
-Arezoo Najibzadeh
(Arezoo Najibzadeh)
Stantec’s (Partial) Surrender
It was with anger and outrage that we learned back in January that a Canadian engineering firm, Stantec, was partnering with the province in their scheme to rip out 19 kilometres of Toronto bike lanes. Stantec’s involvement is a clear betrayal of their own stated corporate values and puts them at odds with the majority of transportation planning experts in the province including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Traffic Council, Ontario Professional Planners Institute, and Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.
Over 2,300 letters from supporters like you were sent to senior Stantec executives urging them to rip up this agreement and cancel this contract. Over the ensuing weeks, sources quietly indicated that Stantec was getting cold feet and had reconsidered the extent of their involvement due to public outcry.
Last week, in response to a protest organized by activists from Fridays for Future at Stantec’s Toronto offices, CBC reports that Stantec are on the record that they have reduced the scope of their work:
The statement went on to say Stantec is working on developing technical drawings for “a small section” of the bike corridors, representing about 1.5 km in total. After those drawings are complete, the firm will no longer be involved, [Colin Nekolaichuk, a public relations manager for Stantec] said.
That’s still 1.5 kilometres too many. If you haven’t already, email Stantec and say so:
It’s also not clear which sections those 1.5 kilometres represent (while there are certainly theories, we won’t speculate here), let alone what’s the plan–if any–for the remaining ~18 kilometres.
We’re not losing hope. Beyond the April 16th hearing, the province’s own documents acknowledge that these engineering and construction projects are complicated and expensive, and the work can’t all happen overnight. While there seems to be a lot of motivation to start some small removals right away, the overall future of our bike lanes is not set in stone.
In the meantime we’re keeping our ears to the ground. Let us know if you hear anything.
(It’s still unclear which 1.5 kilometre sections of bike lanes Stantec has been working to remove. Image: CBC.)
Injunction Update: A Disappointment but Not a Setback
Earlier this month, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice denied our injunction to prevent the province from starting work to rip out our bike lanes ahead of our legal challenge against Bill 212 on April 16, 2025. The province had previously indicated they wouldn’t attempt work before March 20, 2025. While the decision is disappointing, it doesn’t impact that Charter challenge and our chances of success on the merits of the case.
New documents unveiled in court, however, reveal that the province’s data doesn’t align with their “common sense” public messaging. The province’s own experts and consultants confirm what Cycle Toronto, advocates, and opponents to this legislation have been saying all along:
1) Ripping out bike lanes won't solve congestion and will make traffic worse
2) There is no mythical network of secondary roads that could replace the target bike lanes
3) Moving ahead with these removals will put the lives of all road users–not just cyclists–at risk
It’s clearer than ever that ripping out these bike lanes doesn’t serve the public interest. Read more about the injunction decision and internal documents that were released leading up to the hearing on our website.
(Cycle Toronto supporters were able to reach the injunction hearing at the Canada Life Building via the University Avenue cycle tracks.)
The 2025 Provincial Election
If there was ever any debate that running an election campaign against bike lanes is a losing strategy in Toronto, provincial election results in Etobicoke—Lakeshore should put it to rest.
Ontario PC MPP Christine Hogarth, the architect behind Bill 212 — the province’s scheme to rip out Toronto bike lanes and strip the city of control over its own streets — was ousted from her seat. Her defeat is more than just another election result; it’s a clear rejection of a jurisdictional overreach, and building a political brand against bike lanes.
As the province scapegoats bike lanes for their own transportation planning failures, they’ve also lost any claims to a moral authority that they’re acting in the interests of local communities on this issue.
Bike Lanes Keep Toronto's Food Couriers Safe
Narada Kiondo is a co-applicant in Cycle Toronto’s legal challenge against Bill 212. He has worked as a food delivery courier since 2016. With the cost of living crisis pushing more people towards food delivery app work, Narada argues that removing bike lanes would put more people’s lives at risk:
I’ve ridden around this city enough to know there isn’t a network of secondary roads that could replace protected bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University. By threatening to rip them out, it feels like the province is saying my safety doesn’t count and isn’t worth protecting.
Read his op-ed in Toronto Today.
(Narada Kiondo and his bike.)
12 Kilometres of New Bike Lanes Approved
12 kilometres of new bikeways passed at late March’s City Council meeting.
One exciting project is Ellesmere Road. These new 5.2 kilometres of bikeways will connect the soon-to-be-implemented Scarborough Golf Club bikeways to the still-pending Danforth-Kingston bikeways. This project will connect cyclists to destinations like the University of Toronto Scarborough, Centennial College, and Centenary Hospital.
(A rendering of the Ellesmere Road project. Image: City of Toronto)
Another highlight is Bathurst Street from Steeles to Bainbridge Avenue, which will connect to several local neighbourhood routes and the Finch Hydro Corridor.
(A rendering of the Bathurst Street project. Image: City of Toronto)
Other projects include cycling infrastructure on Bedford Road, Ontario Street, York Gate Boulevard, and several connections for the Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood. You can read about the projects in greater detail on the City Of Toronto website.
Thank you to our supporters who deputed at the committee and the over 400 Cycle Toronto supporters who wrote in their support for these crucial connections in Toronto’s cycling network.
Danforth-Kingston 4 All Volunteer Opportunities
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. Cycle Toronto partner and grassroots community group, Danforth-Kingston 4 All, are looking for volunteers to help bring awareness to the campaign. Sign up for volunteer opportunities starting in April:
(Danforth-Kingston 4 All organizers in the news voiced concern about project delays. Image: CTV)
The Coldest Day of the Year Ride 2025
On one of the coldest days of the year, we rode along the Bloor West bike lanes from Perth Avenue to Resurrection Road to celebrate winter cycling.
Thank you to our partners Bike Share and the Smart Commute for coming out to ride alongside us.
See you next winter!
(A group of riders pose at the end of the ride. Image: Jun Nogami)
(The group riding through Bloor West Village. Image: Jun Nogami)
Bike Month is Around the Corner
Bike Month is just around the corner! Celebrate cycling this June by taking part in Bike to Work Day, Bike to School Week, and several other events that invite new, learning, and experienced riders to experience the joy of riding a bike.
Registration for schools to take part in Bike to School Week is open now. Further details on Bike Month will be available soon.
Job Opportunities
We’re hiring! Cycle Toronto is seeking cycling ambassadors to support our outreach events, bike engagement stations, and community rides. Ambassadors assist with our various workshops, engagement stations, event support, and canvassing. Roles involve interacting with the public, handling merchandise sales, demonstrating bike safety checks, and promoting safe cycling across the city.
Find out more and learn how to apply by clicking here.
(A cycling ambassador runs a Learn to Ride workshop.)
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 post highlighting some of the coverage on the provincial government documents that were released ahead of March’s injunction hearing.)
(A Bluesky post highlighting some new bikeways that passed at Infrastructure and Environment Committee in March.)
In the Media
Court challenge happening for Doug Ford's bike lane removal law | CBC
Doug Ford’s bid to remove Toronto bike lanes faces its first legal hurdle | Toronto Star
Cycling advocates seek injunction to halt potential work to remove Toronto bike lanes | City News
Cycling advocates call for court injunction over Toronto bike lane removals | Global News
Judge reserves decision on Doug Ford’s bid to remove Toronto bike lanes | Toronto Star
Removing bike lanes will likely worsen gridlock, lead to more collisions: government documents | The Trillium
Court denies injunction to stop Ontario removing Toronto bike lanes before legal challenge | CBC
Doug Ford’s removal of Toronto bike lanes can start next week, court rules | Toronto Star
Judge denies injunction to stop the province from ripping up Toronto bike lanes | City News
Court denies injunction to stop Toronto bike lane removals | The Trillium
Toronto cyclists lose bid to force Ford government to pause bike lane removals | Global News
Court denies injunction but agrees bike lanes challenge raises serious issues | Ecojustice
OPINION: Anti-bike lane campaigns are a losing battle in Toronto | Toronto Today
Events
Kidical Mass Bike Ride
Join the interveners on our legal challenge, Greenpeace and For Our Kids, for a family-friendly rally and bike ride to save our bike lanes and protect our kids!
When: Saturday, April 5th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Queen’s Park South Lawn
Save the Date: Cycle Toronto’s Charter challenge hearing
Cycle Toronto supporters packed the courtroom (and the overflow room) at our injunction hearing. Stay tuned for more information about how to join us for the Charter challenge hearing.
When: Wednesday, April 16th
Where: To be confirmed
(Cycle Toronto staff and our legal team from Paliare Roland and Ecojustice outside the courthouse following the injunction hearing.)
Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Ring & Post. As always, every gift counts to help us continue the work you've read about in this newsletter.
Cycle Toronto
