The Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford has officially rejected multiple proposals from the City of Toronto that aimed to preserve protected bike lanes while restoring vehicle traffic lanes on major streets. According to documents obtained by the Toronto Star and sources familiar with the negotiations, the province dismissed every proposal that included maintaining cycling infrastructure on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue.
This decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between municipal cycling advocates and the provincial government, which has blamed bike lane expansion for worsening traffic congestion across Canada’s largest city. The rejection sets the stage for what could become one of the most controversial transportation infrastructure changes in Toronto’s recent history.
Province Launches 19-Kilometre Removal Project
On Tuesday, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation issued a request for proposals (RFP) asking contractors to bid on the removal or reconfiguration of more than 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes along the city’s main arterial streets. The project scope includes some of Toronto’s busiest cycling corridors.
The RFP targets bike lanes on Bloor Street from Royal York Road to Castle Frank Road, Yonge Street from Hayden Street to Millwood Road, University Avenue from College Street to Heenan Place, all of Queen’s Park Crescent, and Avenue Road from Bloor to Davenport Road. These routes form the backbone of Toronto’s cycling network.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the province would consider keeping bike lanes “where possible,” but emphasized that “the priority is restoring that vehicle lane.” This statement underscores the Ford government’s position that traffic flow takes precedence over cycling infrastructure.
Toronto’s Compromise Proposals Rejected
The documents reveal that City of Toronto staff developed detailed proposals attempting to satisfy both cyclists and drivers. One proposal involved reinstating a lane of traffic on a 1.5-kilometre stretch of Bloor Street West in Etobicoke, between Resurrection Road and Royal York Road.
The proposed redesign varied block-by-block and included adjusting medians, modifying bike lane configurations, and undertaking catch-basin construction work. City planners also prepared high-level proposals for the rest of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue that would have maintained the cycling infrastructure.
“We have always been clear: bike lanes should go where they make sense — not at the expense of vehicle lanes, commuters’ time or our economy.”
A source familiar with the negotiations revealed that the province rejected every proposal that included a bike lane, and discussions never progressed to the point of examining in-depth technical designs. This suggests the Ford government entered negotiations with a predetermined outcome.
Contractor Timeline and Project Details
The RFP establishes an aggressive timeline for this major infrastructure project. Contractors must submit their bids by December 2, with a planned award date of December 17. The province has set an estimated completion date of December 2028, meaning Toronto residents could see significant changes to their cycling routes over the next two years.
Interestingly, the RFP asks contractors to provide design and costing options for two scenarios: complete removal of bike lanes, and maintaining bike lanes while adding back a lane of traffic. This dual approach suggests the province may still be evaluating whether full removal is necessary everywhere.
The documents also request that contractors study the “feasibility of alternative bike routes on municipal roads at a conceptual level,” with priority given to north-south alternatives to the bike lanes on Yonge Street and Avenue Road. For cyclists who rely on these routes, understanding potential alternatives will be crucial. Much like the complex insurance claims process after Ontario storms, navigating these infrastructure changes will require careful planning.
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Impact on Toronto’s Cycling Community
The removal of 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes would represent a significant setback for Toronto’s cycling community. Protected bike lanes separated from vehicle traffic have been shown to increase cycling safety and encourage more residents to choose bikes over cars for daily commutes.
Bloor Street’s protected bike lane has been particularly popular since its installation, serving as a major east-west cycling corridor. Yonge Street and University Avenue provide critical north-south connections for downtown commuters. The loss of these routes would force cyclists onto less protected streets or alternative routes that may add significant time to their journeys.
For the Latin community in Toronto, many of whom work in service industries across the city, accessible cycling infrastructure provides an affordable transportation option. The removal of these lanes could disproportionately impact workers who depend on cycling to reach jobs in the downtown core.
What Happens Next for Cyclists
Charlotte Carron, spokesperson for Minister Sarkaria, stated that the RFP will “restore vehicle capacity and get people moving again, while identifying opportunities to maintain or reconfigure bike lanes where possible, without making gridlock worse.” However, the province has not clarified what “where possible” means in practice.
The Ford government’s stated rationale centers on the claim that removing traffic lanes for bike lanes has contributed to Toronto’s congestion problems. Critics argue that removing cycling infrastructure will simply encourage more car use, potentially worsening the very congestion the province claims to address.
Cyclists who regularly use these routes should begin exploring alternative paths and considering how the changes might affect their daily commutes. The project’s December 2028 completion date means riders have time to adapt, but planning ahead will be essential.
Will all bike lanes in Toronto be removed?
No. The province’s RFP targets approximately 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes on specific streets including Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen’s Park Crescent, and Avenue Road. The contractor bid also asks for options to maintain bike lanes while restoring traffic lanes where feasible.
When will the bike lane removal project be completed?
According to the RFP, the estimated completion date is December 2028. Contractors must submit bids by December 2, with contract awards expected by December 17.
Why did the Ford government reject Toronto’s proposals?
The province rejected every proposal that included maintaining a bike lane. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the priority is “restoring that vehicle lane.” The government blames bike lanes for contributing to Toronto’s traffic congestion.
Will alternative bike routes be created?
The RFP asks contractors to study the feasibility of alternative bike routes on municipal roads, with priority given to north-south alternatives to Yonge Street and Avenue Road. However, no specific alternative routes have been confirmed.
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