Premier Doug Ford’s administration has been granted the authority to eliminate 19 kilometers of safeguarded bike lanes in Toronto, as ruled by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in a judgment disclosed on Friday, overturning a previous decision made in July 2025.
The legislation enabling the province to dismantle bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue was initially sanctioned at Queen’s Park in 2024. Following legal opposition from advocacy group Cycle Toronto and others, the infrastructure persisted on Toronto’s streets.
In the 2025 ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas determined that removing the bike lanes would violate the constitution by increasing the risk of harm and fatalities, invoking the right to life and personal security.
However, a trio of Appeal Court judges declared on Friday that there is no constitutional obligation to dictate road usage in any specific manner. The Ford government has consistently argued that removing the bike lanes would alleviate traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area.
The judges stated, “The legislature has the freedom to enact legislation to eliminate a bicycle lane from a road — it may even remove an entire road — without infringing on the Charter.”
They criticized Schabas’s ruling for exaggerating the adverse effects of eliminating bike lanes, noting that injuries and fatalities would only occur if cyclists opted to ride on roads lacking bike lanes.
Ontario’s Transportation Minister, Prabmeet Sarkaria, praised the court’s decision as a victory for common sense and the delineation of roles between elected legislatures and the judiciary. CBC Toronto sought details from the Ministry of Transportation regarding the timeline for removing bike lanes following the court ruling.
After the ruling, Ford expressed his approval on social media, stating, “Common sense prevails.” In response, the provincial Liberals insinuated that Ford aspires to be the “Premier of Toronto.”
Cycle Toronto’s Executive Director, Michael Longfield, criticized the decision as regressive in terms of evidence-based policymaking, emphasizing that bike lanes do not cause traffic congestion and their removal jeopardizes lives.
The Appeal Court’s ruling underscored that the government is not obligated to adhere to expert advice on a subject, emphasizing that legislative policies are not arbitrary merely because some experts predict their ineffectiveness.
In collaboration with the province, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s office reiterated the commitment to finding solutions that balance vehicular traffic flow with cyclist safety. Chow’s office emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety for all road users and enhancing traffic management strategies.
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford contended that decisions on bike lane placement should rest with elected officials rather than the judiciary. Bradford urged the province to allow the city to take the lead in determining street policies.
In a statement, Chow expressed disappointment with Council members opposing the city’s autonomy in decision-making, advocating for constructive dialogue with the provincial government to chart a way forward.
