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.

The crowd at Tom Riley Park when I arrived shortly after 6 PM.

Alex – one of the most active Redditors on /r/TorontoBiking – with a sign condemning the $48 million waste of money resulting from the bike lane removals. The shrine commemorating the 32 deaths on Bloor, University, and Yonge over the past 20 years was put up on Monday which Jun covered here.

Jess of FFSS encouraged people to buddy up and obey the highway traffic act when riding back and forth on that stretch of Bloor. She mentioned stopping the removals last Thursday was one of her most proud moments.

Michael of Cycle Toronto being interviewed by the media. He later said we will laugh this time next year when we win at the Supreme Court. Both he and Ecojustice lawyer Bronwen Roe were featured in this recent The War on Cars episode.

Alex, Kelly, and others with signs which prompted many drivers to honk in support.

There’s Janet Joy and Heather.

A group riding back and forth on Bloor which I joined soon after via bike share. 

Michael handed out these “bike lanes save lives” postcards which you can also get a sign version on Cycle Toronto’s website.

Time to ride west on Bloor.

Gabe Blanc – centre – ended his run for city council when Mike Layton entered the race.

Now riding eastbound with more cyclists coming in the opposite direction.

Back at Tom Riley Park briefly before we were informed heavy machinery was brought to Bloor and Islington. I then made my way there on foot.

Some cyclists had already made it by the time I got there.

This paving vehicle appears to be owned by Pave-Al Limited. Please contact Pave-Al at (905) 256 2500 to let them know you disapprove of their complicity with the bike lane removals in addition to ATS Traffic and Verdi Alliance Civil mentioned earlier.

A giant milling machine from Triple-A Milling was parked on the other side of Bloor Street. They can be contacted at (905) 597 9144 if you wish to call them out as well.

Given the large number of protesters, that Pave-Al paving machine could not get out.

Here’s a brief video of the truck and paving machine leaving with people chanting “get home safe”.

Success! We chased one of the trucks off of Bloor with more "Get home safe" chants! Still got one more truck to evict. #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero

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— Robert Zaichkowski (@rzaichkowski.bsky.social) October 20, 2026 at 7:59 PM

After that vehicle left, the protesters crossed the street to attempt to get the Triple-A milling machine to leave as well.

Unfortunately, the Public Order Unit (a.k.a. riot squad) has appeared to ensure the milling machine gets unloaded.

This fearless person repeatedly shouted at the riot squad citing we have a charter right to protest. The protesters could be heard chanting “Call in sick”, “Who do you serve?”, “Who do you protect?”, and “Hey Doug, don’t be shitty, keep your hands off from our city!”.

While the crowd behind the milling machine thinned out, I noticed a lot of protesters moved to the front before I left at around 9 PM.

Lance Leroux recorded this aerial view of the protesters blocking the milling machine.

Last, but not least, Lance recorded this aerial view of the protesters surrounding the truck on Bloor west of Islington. Thank you and get home safe. #BikeTO #TOpoli #ONpoli #VisionZero

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— Robert Zaichkowski (@rzaichkowski.bsky.social) October 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM

After I left, the milling machine was unfortunately able to tear up the pavement. Here are a couple of photos Natasha Rego de Assunçao posted which I am sharing with permission. I found out afterwards the protest had to be called out due to toxic air, while organizers encouraged bringing N95 masks to future protests.

Devan recorded this video of the milling machine in action.

TPS is going to have one hell of a WSIAT file for respiratory issues. At least we slowed them down tonight. It ain’t over till it’s over. And it‘s never over.

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— Devan Marr (@devanmarr.bsky.social) October 20, 2026 at 9:50 PM

While it’s unfortunate the removal work continues, the resistance Toronto’s cycling community put up is a lot stronger than what happened with Jarvis Street in 2012 while it has been getting international media attention and shows of solidarity. It’s worth pointing the resistance will only get stronger the closer the bike lane removals get to downtown in 2027 and 2028.

urban street projections across the globe in Wellington, NZ including solidarity with Toronto. 🔥🔥 @axleryde.bsky.social

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— Tom Flood (@tomflood.bsky.social) October 21, 2026 at 7:50 AM

Thank you to everyone who took part in fighting the bike lane removals so far. The last of the pavement markings were expected to be removed this evening, so another protest was held at 7 PM where a die-in actually happened per Mark's post below and you can catch up via Neville Park's feed. A legal defence fund was also established to help the four people who have been arrested so far.

Made it back home to Etobicoke for another protest #biketo

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— Mark Shaw 🇨🇦✌️🇪🇺 (@markshawtoronto.bsky.social) October 21, 2026 at 9:40 PM

Here’s some media coverage from Canadian Cycling Magazine, CBC News, and CityNews.