Toronto, Ont./ Traditional territories of several First Nations including the Williams Treaties First Nations, Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation — An Ontario court has ruled in favour of upholding a temporary injunction that prevents the Ford government from ripping up three core bike lanes in Toronto on Yonge Street, University Avenue and Bloor Street.
The temporary injunction, first granted by Justice Schabas in April 2025, prevents the provincial government from removing the protected bike lanes before a decision can be made on the merits of a Charter challenge brought by Cycle Toronto, along with individuals Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo.
The applicants’ case challenges a section of Ontario’s Bill 212 — Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, arguing the law’s mandated removal of Toronto’s protected bike lanes is arbitrary and puts lives at risk. The applicants are represented by lawyers from Ecojustice and Paliare Roland LLP.
Bronwyn Roe, Ecojustice lawyer said:
“We’re pleased that the Divisional Court has dismissed Ontario’s motion to appeal the temporary injunction granted by Justice Schabas. This legal protection ensures that the government cannot move ahead with removing the protected bike lanes until Justice Schabas has the opportunity to decide the merits of the applicants’ Charter challenge.
“The evidence in this case is clear — the removal of heavily used, protected bike lanes on major routes in Toronto will put the lives of cyclists at risk. The government cannot be allowed to jeopardize the safety of Ontarians or violate the Charter-protected rights to life and security of the person.”
Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto said:
“This historic legal challenge has already revealed the truth: despite all the public bluster, the province’s own experts agree that ripping out some of Toronto’s busiest bike lanes won’t reduce traffic congestion, there’s no mythical alternate network to replace them, and doing so will put people’s lives at risk. We urge the province to abandon this bad-faith culture war and collaborate with municipalities on real solutions to make our streets and communities healthier, safer, and more vibrant.”
Background information:
- On November 25, 2024, the Ontario government passed the controversial Bill 212, the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act. The legislation amended the Highway Traffic Act to give the province broad, sweeping powers to rip up existing protected bike lane infrastructure — including key biking corridors in Toronto on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue. It will also require municipalities to get the okay from the province to build new bike lanes when they involve removing a car lane.
- In December 2024, Cycle Toronto and two individuals filed a Charter challenge to a provision of Bill 212. The applicants argue that the law’s mandated removal of three core protected bike lanes in Toronto’s cycling network will put lives at risk and violate section 7 Charter-protected rights to life and security of the person. Lawyers from Ecojustice and Paliare Roland LLP are representing the applicants in this case.
- In April, the case made its way to the Ontario Superior Court for a full merits hearing where Justice Schabas granted a temporary injunction that will protect the bike lanes while he makes his decision on the merits of the application.
