Ontario government to begin ripping up Bloor bike lanes in Toronto
· Toronto Sun
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OTTAWA — Toronto cyclists will soon have fewer places to ride their bikes in the city.
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Last week, a statement issued to media confirmed a 1.2 km stretch of bicycle lanes along Bloor St. W. between Clissold Rd. and Royal York Rd. would be removed, with work commencing on the project on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
“Our government was given a clear and direct mandate by the people of Ontario to fight gridlock, including by restoring motor vehicle lanes that are needed to keep drivers moving,” Transport Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said in a statement.
“We’re keeping our promise. Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’re getting people and goods moving again and giving commuters back more of their time.”
And this week, paper notices began appearing around Etobicoke informing residents of the impending removal, set to begin next Tuesday.
“Construction involves removing existing pavement markings and pre-cast concrete curbs and installing new pavement markings and signage to safely restore an additional vehicle lane in each direction,” read a photo of one of the notices , posted Thursday to the /r/torontobiking subreddit.
Crews will begin work to return the lanes to vehicle traffic next Tuesday, continuing lane restoration work at Clissold Rd., where a 600-metre section of bike lanes was removed in December 2025 — and where restoration of vehicle lanes would involve a minimal amount of design work.
Work is expected to be complete by next month.
The province is also issuing a request for proposal (RFP) to facilitate removal of bike lanes in other parts of the city, including Bloor St., Yonge St., University Ave., Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Cres. and Avenue Rd.
Advocates angry at lane removal
In August, the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously overturned a controversial Ontario Superior Court ruling that maintained removing the bicycle lanes would amount to a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The case dates back to 2024, when cycling activists challenged a new law mandating removal of bike lanes as a means to relieve Toronto’s chronic gridlock problem.
Cycling T.O. issued a statement to media blasting the province’s decision to remove the lanes.
“Ripping out these protected bike lanes against the will of Toronto City Council is a colossal waste of $48 million,” the statement read, adding that side streets aren’t workable alternatives to bike lanes.
“The province’s own experts know it will not ease traffic congestion — it will put people’s lives at risk.”