This evening, Cycle Toronto marked one year since their court victory against the bike lane removal provisions of Bill 212 with a rally and ride from Ramsden Park to the courthouse at University and Armoury. Having just returned from Kyrgyzstan last night – more on that soon – I joined the almost 40 people who showed up despite the jet lag.
The group assembled at the southeast corner of Ramsden Park. Diana Yoon – who’s running for council in my University-Rosedale ward – was among those in attendance and she expressed her desire for pedestrianization at the new Mirvish Village development at Bloor and Bathurst.
Cycle Toronto’s Michael Longfield ridiculed Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria’s remark that the opposition to jets at Billy Bishop Airport constituted a “fringe group” and called it a disqualifier. He drew parallels to how comments for Bill 212 saw almost all of the over 20,000 responses rejecting the bike lane restrictions, as well as highlighted the route which would also pass Queen’s Park.
Queuing up to start the ride.
Off we roll down Yonge Street.
Michael and Dave Shellnutt (a.k.a. The Biking Lawyer) at Yonge and Davenport.
Turning right onto Bloor Street. Just before this point, a loud bang from a flat tire could be heard.
Cycle Toronto’s cargo bike being ridden along Bloor.
Turning left onto Bay Street.
Norm Di Pasquale of NoJetsTO and Donna on Bay Street before heading towards Queen’s Park.
An obligatory group photo at Queen’s Park. 1, 2, 3, Sarkaria! 🤣
Leaving Queen's Park.
Rolling south on University Avenue to ensure all three streets covered by the bike lane removal provision – along with Yonge and Bloor – get covered. Parts of University will be under construction again soon with the southbound cycle track expected to be temporarily converted into bi-directional.
Gathered in front of the courthouse at Armoury Street.
Norm, Bruno Dobrusin of the Toronto Tenant Union, and Dave before they delivered their speeches. Before beginning, Michael mentioned the ride – which involved taking the lane – was a test for if Minister Sarkaria gets his way, as well as promised to wrap up the event by 7 PM for those wishing to join the Neon Riders which gathered near City Hall.
Dave reminded everyone the war on bikes is in more places than bike lanes with new insurance rules effective July 1, 2026 removed income replacement benefits of up to $400 per week for those who don’t have auto insurance (or chose to opt out if they do).
Bruno talked about how cyclists shared common ground with tenants with both being targeted by Bill 60. He talked about how the bill would make it easier to evict tenants and the successful organizing by tenants to scrap a proposal to end rent control via the use of fixed term leases. He led a chant say “When cyclists and tenants are under attack, what do we do? STAND UP FIGHT BACK!”
Norm said the recent victory against jets at Billy Bishop Airport was thanks to people power with 87,000 people filling surveys and noted how the City of Toronto planned to offer free ferry rides to the Islands for kids, youth, and seniors. It was the third time such a proposal was stopped, while he cited Toronto MP’s were the “crack in the door that needed to be kicked wide open”. He concluded with a “bike lanes save lives” chant.
Michael then wrapped up the event about October’s election and the need to elect people committed to building things blocked by the premier (or rebuilt if removed).
Cycle Toronto handed these postcards ahead of this October’s election. They also released a scorecard earlier this year showing how each councillor voted on cycling, while the election pledge will be released when the election gets closer.
Gabe Blanc (left) showed up at the end of the event and is also running for council in University-Rosedale. I wish Gabe, Diana, Councillor Dianne Saxe, and the other candidates in the ward the best of luck over the next three months.
Thanks Cycle Toronto for organizing today’s rally, even though we still don’t know when the decision will be made. The courts won’t save you and it’s up to us – the people – to show up to ensure we don’t lose progress with safe streets.
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