Cycle Toronto has been leading the change for a healthier, more vibrant cycling city since 2008. Bill 212 represents an existential threat to our vision.
Cycle Toronto members are helping resist this unprecedented jurisdictional overreach that will undermine local democracy and put lives at risk. For even $5 a month, you can help amplify our voice. Will you join today?
Thank you.
Table of Contents
- Bill 212 is about spite
- “I Love Bike Lanes” petition reaches 17,000 signatures
- Cycle Toronto deputes at Executive Committee
- “Can they really do that?” A Bill 212 explainer
- Grieving parents urge Premier to stop Bill 212
- Ontario reacts to Bill 212
- Cycle Toronto Rally for Bloor
- Just for Fun: 1.2%
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
- Volunteering Opportunities
-
Events
- Christie Pits Rally
- World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Bill 212 is about spite
Bill 212 isn’t about getting “drivers where they need to go faster”. It’s not about making data-driven decisions “based on a set of specified criteria”. Or helping “improve the quality of life of Ontarians.”
Bill 212 is unprecedented jurisdictional overreach that will put lives at risk. And the latest addendum to the bill specifically calling for “the removal of the bike lanes on Bloor St., Yonge St., and University Ave” it’s clear Bill 212 is about spite.
With over 17,000 petition signatures, and over 2,500 emails to the premier, it’s clear your voice is getting through. The province’s escalation is an effort to reframe it as a full-fledged culture war. And with our fact-based rebuttals we’ll continue to refuse to take the bait.
It’s also essential that our municipal leaders hear clearly that there is no compromise, and there's no meter or kilometer of bike lanes that we'll accept being removed. We need Mayor Chow and City Council to hear our call to use the City of Toronto's full moral and legal weight to resist. The agenda for next week’s Council is promising.
Rest assured this isn’t over. Our volunteers continue to canvass across the city. We’re meeting and coordinating with like-minded organizations from across the province. We’re getting the word out with nation-wide media. And together we'll stop Bill 212.
If you’re in a position to give, please consider donating your promised $200 provincial rebate to Cycle Toronto for a full tax receipt.
I want to acknowledge the incredible work from my colleagues Alison, Caitlin, Igal, and Taylor in all this work. It's a true team effort and we’re all grateful to be supported by an incredible Board of Directors.
And thank you to everyone who has already pitched and donated all or part or more of their upcoming $200 provincial rebate to Cycle Toronto for a full tax receipt. Your generosity has raised over $24,000. How much more can we raise?
-Michael Longfield
Executive Director
(A commuting map using 2021 census data. Image: Anthony Smith/@safestreetsTO)
“I Love Bike Lanes” petition surpasses 17,000 signatures
Launched on September 20th the day after CBC leaked the promises plan to bar and rip out bike lanes, we’re happy to report that, as of November 7th, over 17,000 folks have joined our call telling the province to stay in their own lane.
Have you signed? Add your name today and share it with a friend.
Cycle Toronto urges the city to take action
As Bill 212 races through the legislature, what is Toronto’s plan?
At the Executive Committee meeting on November 5th, Cycle Toronto asked the city to direct staff to make a formal submission to the province, and for council to pass a motion rejecting Bill 212. We made it clear that there’s no compromise and there isn't a meter or kilometer of bike lane we'll accept being removed.
Watch the full deputation on YouTube here.
(Michael Longfield speaks at Executive Committee on November 5th. Image: City of Toronto.)
Our message is getting through.
Two days later the agenda for November’s City Council meeting dropped and featured two items focused on Bill 212, most notably item “CC23.1O - Respecting Local Democracy and Cities” from Mayor Chow. Details are scarce but the tone is promising:
The recent provincial Bill 212 seeks to overturn the decisions and work of our locally elected Toronto City Council. If passed, the Bill means one government would, at tremendous cost to the taxpayer and without collaboration, undo another government's work.
As Mayor, it is my responsibility to stand up for the decision-making authority of City Council and the expertise of our professional public service which supports that decision-making. As such, I am working with City Staff to review the City's options and will provide recommendations on this item prior to the City Council meeting on November 13, 2024.
A second motion, “MM23.14 - Provincial Overreach and Toronto’s Infrastructure”, from Councillors Saxe and Morley, also rejects Bill 212 as “another overreaching attack on the people of Toronto”.
“Can they really do that?” Bill 212 explainer
What is Bill 212?
Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 is provincial legislation introduced on October 21st whose stated aim is to “get drivers where they need to go faster”. It has 5 separate sections, including prioritizing the construction of highway 413, and specific amendments to Highway Traffic Act requiring provincial approval of new and existing bike lanes.
What’s the big deal?
Bill 212 is rife with contradictions. Bill 212 would exempt the building of a new highway from the Environmental Assessment Act while simultaneously requiring more red tape for both new and existing bike lanes to undergo Ministry review with yet-to-be-determined criteria.
What does Bill 212 say about road safety?
Nothing. The sole stated criteria for Ministry evaluation of any bike lane is its impact on “the orderly movement of motor vehicle traffic”.
Does Bill 212 really apply to new and existing bike lanes?
Yes.
How will that be determined?
The legislation’s preamble claims assessment criteria for bike lanes will “be developed in consultation with targeted stakeholders including large municipalities”. No specifics have been given.
What bike lanes will be impacted?
While Transportation Minister Sarkaria initially indicated no specific bike lanes were targeted for removal ahead of assessment at an early press conference, an update on October 31 now specifically calls to “remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes” and require “the City of Toronto to provide support to facilitate the removal of the bike lanes.“
What sections of Bloor, Yonge, and University will be removed?
There is no reason to assume any sections of those bikeways would be exempt from removal.
Can they really do that?
Yes. The provincial legislature has power over all 444 municipalities in Ontario, including the City of Toronto.
How soon could Bill 212 become law?
By numerous accounts the province appears to be fast-tracking this legislation ahead of holiday break. TVO reports that “the government has also significantly reduced debate and committee time” for Bill 212. Pushed through second reading this week, it will be brought to Committee on November 18th, reviewed on November 21st, and could pass third reading as early as November 25th before Royal Assent.
What happens next?
Nobody knows for sure.
Grieving parents urge the premier to stop Bill 212
George and Karen Amaro’s daughter, Alex Amaro, was killed while riding her bike on Dufferin Street in December of 2020. Alex, who was on her way home from the Dufferin Mall after buying a chocolate bar and an extension cord for her Christmas tree, was struck by three cars that evening.
They spoke with CBC’s Metro Morning about their letter to Premier Ford urging him to stop Bill 212. Their message was simple: “bike lanes could have saved our daughter”.
We don’t want just motorists to get home to their families faster, we want everybody to get home to their families…we never had that with our daughter. She never got home to us.
-George Amaro
On behalf of everyone who rides a bike (or has a loved one who rides a bike) in this city, thank you George and Karen Amaro for your courage to speak out.
And thank you to the over 2,500 who followed the Amaro family’s lead and wrote their own letter to the premier urging him to stop Bill 212.
Join them and send your own letter to the premier today.
(Alex Amaro.)
Ontario reacts to Bill 212
Bill 212 has not only raised dire concerns from active transportation and road safety advocates. An increasingly broad collection of voices from across the province are speaking up:
120 physicians and researchers’ joint letter: “Legislation proposing to guide road design decisions, such as Bill 212, should explicitly place a higher priority on road safety than motor vehicle travel times. We oppose the proposed legislation as currently written…”
Association of Municipalities of Ontario: “Bicycle lanes are an essential element of urban transportation planning and road safety. Requiring provincial approval would be a significant overreach into municipal jurisdiction.”
Green Communities Canada: “We strongly encourage you, Minister Sarkaria, to reverse course on this legislation and instead encourage municipalities to continue building networks of high-quality protected bike lanes on major streets.”
Ontario Professional Planners Institute: "The proposed legislative changes will not reduce congestion, will increase risk to public safety, and move away from evidence-based practices."
Ontario Traffic Council: “While the efficient flow of traffic is an important element of transportation planning and engineering, it should not come at the expense of cyclists’ and other vulnerable road users’ lives.”
The Centre for Active Transportation: “Bike lanes are good for business, they save cities money, they help people live happier, healthier, more connected lives. The data, as you'll see in this special edition of our newsletter, speaks for itself.”
(A woman rides her bike on The Danforth. Image: TCAT)
Cycle Toronto Rally For Bloor
In the wake of the uncertainty and chaos surrounding Bill 212, Cycle Toronto and The Biking Lawyer rallied with community partners Friends and Families for Safe Streets, Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists (ARC), Femmes and Friends, Saddle Sisters of High Park, Gyaldem Cycling Collective, and more, and together rode along the Bloor bike lanes to Deputy Mayor Morley’s town hall on October 16th.
Given the infamous Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre town hall earlier this year, our goal was to ensure a positive and inclusive vibe so that folks in Etobicoke and along the corridor felt supported coming out and offering feedback. Over 100 folks were along for the ride.
At the meeting, Toronto’s Deputy Fire Chief, Jim Jessop, addressed oft repeated concerns about EMS response times.
In fact, I’ve just pulled the latest data and what are two key performance indicators that we openly and transparently for the last five years report to city council on for your ward show that your response times have been improving.
Deputy Mayor Morley reiterated the need to avoid “status quo thinking” and pledged her office's commitment to project improvements. Throughout she remained an unwavering champion for a more sustainable future today: “the removal of the bikes lanes is not something I am interested in”.
Read about the meeting in further detail on our website.
(The rally prior to departure. Image: Jun Nogami.)
Just for Fun: 1.2%
Supposedly, only 1.2% of Toronto residents ride their bike to work. And because of that, the provincial government has proposed legislation that would block the construction of new bike lanes and remove the existing lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge.
But does that statistic seem a little suspicious to you?
(Commuters on Bloor West at rush hour. Image: “Observing the City” Twitter account)
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, Twitter / X, or TikTok to stay up-to-date on Cycle Toronto news and events. Here are some highlights from this month:
(Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop explains that according to the data, emergency response times have actually improved since the Bloor bike lanes were installed. Note: Click image to visit original post.)
(An Instagram reel discussing what could be lost with the passing of Bill 212. Note: Click image to visit original post.)
In the Media
Mayor Olivia Chow considers changes to Etobicoke bike lanes | The Toronto Star
Ontario says new legislation will reduce gridlock caused by bike lanes | CBC Canada Tonight
Chow asks Ford to pause potential provincial bike lane legislation | CBC
Transport minister’s bike lane arguments are easily debunked | The Toronto Star
Advocates rally in Etobicoke to oppose Ford's bike lane restrictions | CityNewsToronto
The Bloor Street bike lane is staying, Etobicoke councillor says at heated public meeting | CBC
Ontario to require permission to create bike lanes | CTV
Doug Ford plans to rip out existing bike lanes that are bringing traffic ‘to a standstill’ | Newstalk 1010 - The Jim Richards Show
Ontario law limits bike lanes | The EcoCentric Environment Radio
Toronto cyclists mount resistance to Ford's war against bike lanes | Canada's National Observer
Which 'nasty and terrible' bike lanes are on Ford's hit list for removal in Toronto? | CityNews
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow hopes for ‘dialogue’ with Doug Ford on bike lanes | The Globe and Mail
Ontario fast-tracks order to remove key Toronto bike lanes | The Globe and Mail
Bike Lane Battle | Newstalk 1010 - Moore in the Morning
Doug Ford says only 1.2% of Torontonians commute by bike. That's not true | The Trillium
Percentage of bike riders higher where lanes are installed: StatCan | CBC
Congestion Alternatives Task Force | Newstalk 1010 - Moore in the Morning
On cycling, will Doug Ford stay in his lane? | Yes, Everything! Desmond Cole
(Cycle Toronto Executive Director Michael Longfield debating Rem Koolhaas of Balance on Bloor. Image: CBC)
Volunteering Opportunities
Ready to take action and canvas with Cycle Toronto to get the word out about Bill 212? Join us on November 11th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Zoom for a canvassing orientation. Register for the call here.
Note: If you have already attended a canvassing 101 session, no need to register.
(A Cycle Toronto volunteer chats with a cyclist at Bloor and Shaw last month.)
Events
Fight for Bikes: Protest to Save our Bike Lanes
Fight for Bikes is a grassroot organization founded by two University of Toronto students against the province’s plans to rip out bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University. Bring your bikes if you have them!
When: Saturday, November 9th at 2:00 pm
Where: Christie Pits Park
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Join Friends and Families for Safe Streets for the annual World Day of Remembrance for all of the loved ones who have been killed and severely injured in crashes.
When: Sunday, November 17th at 4:30 pm
Where: Queen’s Park
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.
