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.
Michael from Cycle Toronto welcomed everyone to the ride.
University-Rosedale Councillor-Elect Mike Layton talked about the fight to bring bike lanes on Bloor Street ten years ago and how Doug Ford wants to take them away. He asked if people were willing to let Doug Ford rip out the bike lanes to which we yelled NO!
Ben with his daughter gave a safety talk and asked us to check our ABC’s (air, brakes, and chain).
Three people on mobility aids – including Oda (left) and Cyndi (middle) – ended up riding in front for the ride to prevent it from going too fast.
Queuing up on Christie to leave.
The ride leaving Christie Pits.
I recorded a video at this spot which showed about 80 people taking part in the ride.
About 80 people took part in today's "Access For All" ride hosted by @cycletoronto.bsky.social to underscore the point that bike lanes are also mobility lanes used by all kinds of mobility devices. Here’s a video I recorded as the ride left Christie Pits Park. #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero
— Robert Zaichkowski (@rzaichkowski.bsky.social) October 31, 2026 at 2:45 PM
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Dave – a.k.a. the UN Peacekeeper with his blue helmet – yelling our usual “Bike Lanes Save Lives” chant. Adam Popper with the green helmet is Toronto’s Manager of Cycling and Pedestrian Projects.
Riding east along Bloor Street.
Regrouping at Palmerston Avenue.
Crossing Bathurst Street.
One person had a “Just 1 more dead cyclist bro” sign with the word “lane” crossed out.
Turning right onto St. George.
About to turn right from Hoskin onto Queen’s Park.
South on Queen’s Park.
The City of Toronto upgraded the Queen’s Park cycle track even though the Province targeted it for removal as early as next year. The upgrade should make removal more difficult.
Arriving at Queen’s Park.
A Cycle Toronto tent was set up with free snacks, lights, chalk, and “Defend Bloor” pins which I finally got mine.
Oda Al-Anizi asked the crowd to give a cheer for the re-election of Mayor Chow. He said politicians wanting the bike lanes removed want people to picture able bodied cyclist in order to trigger a culture war and pit people against each other. He said many don’t realize people using mobility devices also use bike lanes – removing which would strip away their independence – while also giving a shout out to Aly Van Wyck-Smart who was arrested during the protests earlier this month.
Cyndi Gilbert is the Executive Director of the Bike Brigade which she calls an ecosystem of community care. She recognized removing bike lanes not only affects the riders using every means necessary to deliver food (e.g. trailers, milk crates, panniers, cargo bikes), but also those who are receiving the aid. She talked about some of the problems with sidewalks including blocked curb cuts and narrow sidewalks, as well as protected bike lanes keep micromobility lanes off sidewalks (and away from multiple lanes of traffic).
MPP Chris Glover for Spadina-Ford York started with a “protect our mobility lanes” chant and talked about when he got doored by an Uber passenger on a part of Bloor Street in 2017 without a bike lane. He says Doug Ford’s actions are also an attack on democracy including the 2018 Toronto council cuts, the use of strong mayor powers, the scrapping of elections for eight regional chairs, and the reduction of powers for school trustees. He believes people need to mobilize not just against bike lane removals, but also against the wider attack on democratic rights.
Before doing a group photo, I then encouraged people to express their opposition to proposed provincial regulations which would affect the right to protest; a violation of Section 2(c) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The deadline to submit comments is TODAY (October 31) and the website tr.ee/restrict has some excellent background information. Please send your comments and share with your neighbours, while you can use my comments below as an example.
Here’s a group shot in front of the Ontario Legislature; after which the crowd started to disperse.
Thanks Cycle Toronto for organizing today’s ride, as well as to those who spoke. Let’s keep the pressure on the Ford government until we get our bike lanes back!
Jun's post about the ride can be found here.
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