Halloween Access for All Ride

This month has been depressing for Toronto’s cycling community to say the least. A one-kilometre stretch of the Bloor bike lanes from Clissold to Royal York has been removed despite numerous protests which drew hundreds of people. However, one thing missing from the bike lane debate was how bike lanes are used by people using all kinds of mobility devices and therefore should be called “mobility lanes”. Earlier today, Cycle Toronto hosted an “Access for All” Ride to underscore this fact and should not be confused with that group which wants unfettered car access brought back to High Park.

An Etobicoke Bloor Bike Lane Postmortem

Last night was a very positive election outcome with Mayor Olivia Chow being re-elected by a healthy margin (54% to 41%) and progressive gains such as Chiara Padovani’s ending of Frances Nunziata’s 41-year political career. However, there was one setback in which Jamaal Myers lost to former Liberal MP Shaun Chen. With the election over, it’s time to get back to reality and use my day off to revisit the unfortunate circumstances associated with the Bloor bike lanes in Etobicoke.

Toronto 2026 Election Happening Tomorrow

For those who aren’t already aware, Toronto’s next municipal election is happening tomorrow with polls open from 10 AM to 8 PM. You can get the necessary information – including where to vote and which ID to bring – at Toronto’s election website. While I haven’t hidden my desire to re-elect Olivia Chow for Mayor and to stop Brad Bradford – especially with his calls to rip the Bloor bike lanes in Etobicoke – it’s time for a last-minute recap of which councillors to support.

One Week Since Bloor Removal Shutdown

On Tuesday, October 13, hundreds of cyclists protested the Bloor bike lane removals and succeeded in sending the contractors home. While removal work has since been able to continue, a large crowd of advocates rallied again last night to mark one week since that victory. Unfortunately, it also marked the first time heavy equipment was brought in.

Taking the Bloor Bike Lane Fight to Ottawa

Last week, the Ford government started work on removing the Bloor bike lanes from Clissold to Royal York. A massive protest was held on Tuesday evening which stalled work that day while smaller ones were held the rest of the week which led to three women being arrested. Given Verdi Alliance Civil and ATS Traffic were identified doing the work, I issued a call to action to name and shame them, while Cycle Toronto issued their own. However, we need to raise the stake further and start calling on the federal government to intervene.

Saturday’s Etobicoke Bloor Street Love-In

This past week has been brutal for Toronto’s cycling community, but also encouraging to see so many come out to protest the removal of the Bloor bike lanes in Etobicoke. While I couldn’t make it out to the other protest actions this week – and Paralympian swimmer Aly Van Wyck-Smart was arrested on Thursday – Friends & Families for Safe Streets (FFSS), Bicycle Mayor of Toronto, and Femmes & Friends organized a last minute event this afternoon which would take a more positive and loving approach. Since I wanted to check out the aftermath of this week’s removal work anyway, I got to check out that event as well.

Resisting the Bloor Bike Lane Removals

On Tuesday, the Ford government was expected to start removal of the Bloor bike lanes from Clissold to Royal York, while the firms identified with the work include Verdi Alliance Civil and ATS Traffic per a call to action I issued yesterday. I took the subway right after work on Tuesday night to witness the hundreds of cyclists who came out to protest the removals with the parking lot at Tom Riley Park being used as an organizing base.