Cycle Toronto has been leading the change for a better cycling city since 2008. As you’ll read below, however, there’s still so much more to do. Will you help today?
Thank you for subscribing. Cycle Toronto has been leading the change for a better cycling city since 2008. As you’ll read below, however, there’s still so much more to do. And as a member-supported charity, we depend on the support of folks like you. Please consider making a monthly donation to help keep our wheels turning. Will you help today?
This frosty edition of Ring & Post features a return to court, the War on Cars LIVE, and winter maintenance. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
- ED Statement
- Defending Your Rights
- The War on Cars LIVE
- Bike Lane Winter Maintenance Required
- Eglinton Soon?
- Toronto Budget
- Public Consultation: Horner Avenue
- Social Media Spotlight
- In the Media
- Events
ED Statement
You’re not stuck in traffic because of bike lanes, and despite the premier’s bluster, the Ontario government knows that too.
As the province spends billions of our tax dollars on new transit projects (ignore for a moment Metrolinx’s actual track record in getting them up and running), that work is being deliberately undone by schemes like Bill 212 and Bill 60, which blatantly seek to put more cars on our roads, even as the province admits those cars will just crawl in even worse traffic.
Is that what Toronto commuters want?
So why did they spend $270,000 on outside lawyers to mount their case?
Why are they now spending even more to appeal a decision that confirmed what they already knew?
Three years ago, TomTom ranked Toronto as having the 3rd worst traffic in the world. That got headlines, and it fueled the premier and the transportation minister’s culture war.
But in its most recent traffic index, TomTom ranked Toronto as 3rd worst in Canada, 7th worst in North America, and the 106th worst in the world. (The results don’t vary much if you toggle rankings by city or the metro area.) By population, Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the 4th largest in North America. Turn off the talk radio and ask yourself: Yes, we can do better, but does that really seem out of line? (And more bike lanes have been built in Toronto since that infamous 3rd worst ranking….)
Ripping out 19 km of bike lanes won’t solve Toronto’s traffic congestion. Government MPPs had that information when they voted for Bill 212. That’s a fact the courts affirmed back in July. What it will do is lead to more preventable deaths and more families senselessly torn apart.
This fight isn’t possible without you. Thank you for the vital role you play in transforming Toronto into a healthier and more vibrant city.
In 2026, we promise that we’ll keep showing up for you.
-Michael Longfield
Executive Director
Defending Your Rights
(Ecojustice and Paliare Roland lawyers Bronwyn Roe, Catherine Dunne, Braxton Murphy, Andrew Lewis, Greta Hoaken, and Lindsay Beck thanked by Michael Longfield and Cycle Toronto.)
We were back in court to defend your Charter rights against arbitrary and reckless government overreach. Cycle Toronto and our co-applicants, Eva Stanger-Ross, a university student, and Narada Kiondo, a food delivery courier, previously won a landmark legal decision against the Ontario government’s anti-bike lane legislation in July 2025.
The province appealed that ruling, and the appeal was heard by a panel of three justices on Wednesday.
Our legal team from Ecojustice and Paliare Roland presented strong arguments opposing the removal of bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University as a violation of Section 7 of the Charter. The Canadian Public Health Association, Greenpeace Canada, For Our Kids Toronto, and the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights all intervened on our side.
The panel’s decision will likely take several months. We’re optimistic. This time, we’re on defence, and the facts are on our side.
A great 140-post summary of the proceedings can be found on Devan Marr’s Bluesky (buckle in).
The War on Cars LIVE
(The War on Cars hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear. Photo: Ari Scott)
Cycle Toronto is proud to announce that The War on Cars is coming to Toronto. This is not a drill.
The War on Cars podcast hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear will be onstage live for a discussion on urban design and transportation as explored in their new book, Life After Cars.
Launched in 2018, the New York City-based podcast ranges from wonky to whimsical while unapologetically covering the latest developments in the fight to undo a century’s worth of damage wrought by the automobile.
When: Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (Bloor and Bathurst)
This event is generously sponsored by The Biking Lawyer.
Bike Lane Winter Maintenance Required
Toronto cyclists have been patient these past weeks as the city digs out from a historic snowfall. Some enterprising volunteers even took matters into their own hands and organized a bike lane clearing party.
According to the city’s service standards, bike lanes are supposed to be cleared once two centimetres of snow have accumulated and maintained until they are “safe and passable” or down to “bare pavement”. If we want the city to do better, we need to report where maintenance isn’t meeting its own standards.
Reducing this to cyclists versus drivers versus pedestrians misses the point. That narrative is tired and unhelpful. This is about making sure everyone can get around efficiently and safely.
311 Toronto is how the city tracks these concerns. Let's start reporting these unrideable lanes en masse. Create your snow clearing service request here:
You can also email [email protected] and cc your local councillor and the Mayor’s office at [email protected].
Eglinton Soon?
As rumours of a concept of a plan for an opening date for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT continue to swirl, it’s essential we hold the city accountable to building the bike lanes this spring that they delayed last fall:
The planned eglintonTOday Complete Street project, which includes new bikeways and changes to car and bus lanes and parking, will be installed when the LRT opens as authorized by Toronto City Council.
Toronto Budget
In December, Toronto City Council approved building 20 km of new bike lanes after infamously approving 0 km back in the summer. We’re pushing to ensure the 2026 Toronto City Budget continues funding the Council-approved cycling network plan this year and beyond.
The initial budget proposed an alarming $42.5M decrease in Toronto's 10-year cycling capital program. The Mayor’s budget for City Council consideration is due on February 1. Stay tuned.
(Proposed $42.5M decrease in Toronto's 10-year cycling budget.)
(More city budget means more cycling infrastructure. Less budget means….)
Public Consultation: Horner Avenue
The City is proposing cycling and road safety upgrades on Horner Avenue and Foch Avenue in Ward 3: Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
Attend the public drop-in consultation and have your say:
When: Monday, February 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: Alderwood Pool Meeting Room (2 Orianna Drive)
(Map of proposed bike lanes. Image: City of Toronto)
Social Media Spotlight
Can’t get enough Cycle Toronto content? As we near the end of this edition of 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:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTvD6kHEYQo
https://bsky.app/profile/cycletoronto.bsky.social/post/3mcbb3ukewk2f
In the Media
Opinion | I fought for safer Toronto streets after my friend was killed five years ago. Now Doug Ford is undoing that work | The Toronto Star
Ontario government has spent $270K on outside lawyers in fight to remove bike lanes: FOI | CBC
Cyclists appear in provincial court to preserve Toronto bike lanes | CBC
Toronto cyclists defend bike lane challenge before Ontario's top court | The Canadian Press
Cyclists fight to save Toronto bike lanes in court appeal | Canadian Cycling Magazine
Ford government's battle with bike lanes reaches Ontario's highest court | The National Observer
OPINION: Why bike lanes matter for kids | Toronto Today
Doug Ford’s bike lane law could cost Toronto more money. Here’s what the city plans to do about it | The Toronto Star
Events
Memorial Ride for Alex Pretti
The Minneapolis cycling community is asking folks to host rides and come together to remember Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse and avid cyclist, who was shot multiple times and killed by U.S. federal agents.
When: Saturday, January 31st. Meet at 2:00 pm. Ride at 2:30 pm.
Where: Christie Pits Park (Bloor and Christie)
The War on Cars LIVE
Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear bring The War on Cars live to Toronto for a conversation about cities, transportation, and their new book, Life After Cars.
When: Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 pm
Where: Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (Bloor and Bathurst)
Coldest Day of the Year Ride
Join us in this all-ages-and-abilities annual celebration of winter cycling.
When: Saturday, February 28th at 10:00 am
Where: Sugar Beach Park (11 Dockside Drive)
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.
