Why We Must Stop Bradford This October

With Toronto’s next municipal election nine months away, we need to take a serious look at what’s at stake. There are many people dunking on current Mayor Olivia Chow whether it’s for record breaking property tax hikes – 9.5% in 2024 – or not being bold enough on things such as housing and countering Doug Ford’s attacks on bike lanes. For the record, I wished she could have been more supportive on open streets. While there is a need to hold Mayor Chow and the rest of city council accountable, we also need to be careful to not put in someone who could be even worse.

Case in point is Brad Bradford.

More Provincial Interference with Bill 60

Here we go again, folks! And unfortunately, not in a good way.

When Queen’s Park resumed on October 20, the Ford government introduced two omnibus bills which contains provisions that are hostile to road safety advocates. Bill 56 – Building a More Competitive Economy Act – includes a provision which bans speed cameras and received royal assent on Monday, November 3 after skipping the committee stage. Yesterday, the Ford government announced Bill 60 – Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act – will also skip committee stage after Second Reading and go straight to Third Reading. Talk about an affront to the democratic process!

Let's Talk About Speed Cameras!

One thing that has gotten a lot of attention this month in Toronto is speed cameras. On September 7, 2025, the speed camera on Parkside Drive – where Helen and I used to live near until 2022 – was cut down for the seventh time in less than 12 months! That camera was first put in place in 2022 in response to the crash in October 2021 which saw Valdemar and Fatima Avila get killed; something which prompted the group Safe Parkside to organize and demand a redesign of that street. On September 9, 2025, another 16 speed cameras were reported to be damaged across the city. You would think there would be calls for action to hold those perpetrators accountable?

A downed speed camera on Parkside Drive in May 2025 (via Faraz Gholizadeh)

ACTION ALERT – RapidTO at July 16 Executive Committee Meeting

Yesterday, the July 16, 2025 executive committee agenda was published which included the final report for RapidTO bus priority lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin Streets. The TLDR (too long didn’t read) version is city staff capitulated to the astroturf “Protect Bathurst” and “Protect Dufferin” campaigns by reducing the scope of both RapidTO routes to south of Bloor Street. This was in line with the latest language from the “Protect Bathurst” website which called for a pause north of Bloor Street, while Councillor Dianne Saxe (who represents my University-Rosedale ward) had previously called for the exclusion of the Bloor to Dupont stretch from RapidTO Bathurst. (see open letter from June 11)

Photo from TTCriders

Open Letter to Councillor Saxe RE RapidTO Bathurst

Last night, the Toronto Star reported that Councillor Dianne Saxe proposed exempting the Bloor to Dupont stretch of from the TTC's RapidTO Bathurst project. A move which would significantly compromise the project. One thing I learned over the years of doing bike advocacy is that we must NEVER EVER EVER compromise with the car-brains who go up in arms over the slightest inconvenience to their driving privileges. This applies to bike lanes, bus lanes, or creating car-free spaces. This morning while on the subway to work, I sent this note to Councillor Saxe (who happens to be my councillor) and encourage you to do the same. Please copy your city councillor as well if you don't live in University-Rosedale, as well as customize the letter to fit your personal situation.

If you haven't already done so, please sign and share this TTCriders campaign which over 800 people signed on.

Let’s Show Solidarity with Transit Riders!

Earlier this month, I reflected on how Toronto’s car-brain issues go far beyond bikes including with the opposition to proposed RapidTO bus priority lanes on both Bathurst and Dufferin Streets. However, the anti RapidTO push has seen more short turns than the 504 King streetcar which deserve a follow up post on its own! Let’s look at how the current RapidTO proposals came to be, the evolving opposition, and what you can do to show solidarity with transit riders!

RapidTO on Eglinton Avenue East

Car-Brain Extends Beyond Bikes!

The presence of car-brain – or motonormativity as the experts call it – in Toronto has been quite infuriating as of late. In addition to some new developments surrounding Bill 212, even transit developments and revenue tools are being affected along with a different cycling matter. Let’s look at this mayhem and how we can respond!