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.
Approaching Royal York where the work zone begins. Note the “single file” and “bike lane closed” signed with the pylons which meant taking the lane for that stretch.
After riding to Green Lanes, I turned back to Tom Riley Park where a decent sized crowd gather of roughly 30 to 40 people.
Some posters, balloons, and signs were already put up.
Shortly after I arrived, a small group ride was about to leave which I joined along.
Here’s Dimitry - who led that small group ride - waiting at Dundas and Islington.
Eight of us ended up doing this ride.
The ride took us to the West Deane Trail which we rode to the end at Eglinton where a few riders split. Here are a couple of folks riding back.
The Six Points area has gotten more built up since I last went by there. However, it will be unfortunate that the permanent bike lanes installed here will become disconnected once again after the removals are done. I should also note someone in a truck yelled "f***ing loser" at us shortly past this point.
Here’s Dimitry taking the lane.
Back at Tom Riley Park, I noticed one rider put up a “how’s my riding” sign with the Premier’s phone #. If you haven’t already done so, please call or text (647) 612 3673 to condemn Doug Ford’s bike lane removals.
Some people making their own posters with a dog watching over.
Here are the posters they made.
I made one given protected bike lanes make it safer to bring Mozzie in the cargo bike. 🐩
Some of the signs were hung on a clothesline.
Here’s a brief video I recorded of all the signs.
Some people used chalk to write messages on the sidewalk and the bike lane.
Kelly (left) and another person holding signs. A lot of drivers honked in support throughout.
Bicycle Mayor Alison Stewart also helped organize today’s event. Before I left, some people handed out pizza, while other snacks and hot chocolate were also provided earlier.
There used to be a bus loading platform in front of this Rogers store but has since been removed.
Back on the bike lanes again east of Royal York for the rest of the way home.
Thanks Alison and Jess for hosting this afternoon’s action. Removal work is expected to resume on Monday per Cycle Toronto’s Instagram post and I encourage the cycling community to keep up the fight in any way they can.
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