Ontario free to axe Toronto bike lanes, region’s top court rules
The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that the provincial government has the authority to remove bike lanes in Toronto, overturning a previous court decision that deemed the removal unconstitutional. The ruling is a victory for Premier Doug Ford, who has long opposed the infrastructure on traffic grounds.
Why it matters
The decision sets a precedent for provincial versus municipal jurisdiction over urban infrastructure and highlights the ongoing political debate over urban planning and transit priorities.
A bike lane in downtown Toronto. It’s been estimated that ripping up the lanes would cost taxpayers C$48m. Photograph: Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star/Getty Images A bike lane in downtown Toronto. It’s been estimated that ripping up the lanes would cost taxpayers C$48m. Photograph: Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star/Getty Images Toronto Ontario free to axe Toronto bike lanes, region’s top court rules Win is significant for region’s premier, Doug Ford, who blames protected zones for city’s traffic ills
Prefer the Guardian on Google The Ontario government is now free to rip out Toronto’s bike lanes on its busiest streets after the region’s top court ruled in favour of the province on Friday, overturning a lower court’s decision that decreed removal would violate constitutional rights.
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