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 — Cycling advocates are celebrating an Ontario court decision to grant a temporary injunction that will prevent the provincial government from ripping up three core bike lanes in Toronto.
The Ontario Superior Court decision comes following a court hearing last week where lawyers from Ecojustice and Paliare Roland LLP, on behalf of Cycle Toronto and individuals Eva Stanger-Ross and Narada Kiondo, challenged a section of Ontario’s Bill 212 — Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024, which mandates the removal of bike lanes in Toronto on Bloor Street, University Avenue, and Yonge Street.
The applicants argued that the law’s mandated removal of three core protected bike lanes in the City’s cycling network will put lives at risk and violate the section 7 Charter-protected rights to life and security of the person.
The temporary injunction guarantees that the provincial government cannot move forward with removing bike lanes before the judge can make his decision on the merits of the applicants’ Charter challenge. As the court explains, “there are compelling competing public interests other than those which the legislation purports to address”. The decision goes on to say that failing to suspend the provision mandating removal of the three bike lanes will cause more harm to the public interest than allowing the removal to begin while the matter is under reserve.
Bronwyn Roe, Ecojustice lawyer said:
“We are celebrating the court’s decision to stop the immediate removal of the bike lanes, which gives our clients, and Ontarians, hope while they await the court’s ruling on the merits of this case. We’re pleased that the court noted the public interest in encouraging cycling as a means of transportation.
“As we’ve said time and again, the Ontario government should be investing in safe, reliable active transit that is better for people and the planet — not locking in car dependence while putting the lives of Ontarians at increased risk.”
Michael Longfield, Cycle Toronto, a member supported charity said:
“The facts are no longer in doubt: ripping out bike lanes won’t solve congestion and will put people’s lives at risk. Today’s ruling should make clear to the province to reconsider this reckless and arbitrary legislation, and instead work with municipalities on evidence-based solutions to keep all Torontonians moving.”
About
Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity that has been leading the change for a healthier, more vibrant cycling city since 2008.
Ecojustice uses the power of the law to defend nature, combat climate change, and fight for a healthy environment. Its strategic, public interest lawsuits and advocacy lead to precedent-setting court decisions and law and policy that deliver lasting solutions to Canada’s most urgent environmental problems. As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, Ecojustice operates offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax.
