A not-for-profit organization in Toronto is campaigning to remove several dedicated bike lanes on major roads across the city. 

Keep Toronto Moving is comprised of Toronto residents who "believe there are better ways for our city's vehicles and bikes to coexist on our roads."

The group firmly maintains that they are not "anti-bike," and believe that "dedicated bike lanes are a great idea — just not on Toronto's busiest and most congested streets." 

The organization believes that when executed correctly, bike lanes keep cyclists, motorists and pedestrians safe. At the same time, the group suggests that the city's congestion is made worse by badly executed lanes that make commuting more difficult and dangerous. 

A group called “Keep Toronto Moving” wants to remove bike lanes on Bloor, Danforth, University and other routes. They’re out this morning with a poll done by Navigator (N=501, online) claiming a majority want bike lanes off major streets. https://t.co/HrBd7zHJxM

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) April 20, 2023

"Permanent bike lane installations along our major arteries do not make sense," the group's website reads. 

A recent petition by the organization calls on the city's mayoral candidates to agree to remove the dedicated bike lanes causing the most issues on major roads. 

The organization specifically lists bike lanes on Bloor Street (including Bloor West Village), Danforth Avenue, Eglinton Avenue (proposed), Sheppard Avenue (proposed), University Avenue, and Yonge Street. 

The group alleges that according to a poll by Discover-Navigator, a significant proportion of Toronto residents "report being negatively affected by the increase in dedicated bike lanes in Toronto." 

Despite their claims, some people on social media didn't seem to believe that the poll was entirely accurate after discovering its sample size. 

Setting aside the lack of transparent methodology and low N, so two-thirds (66%) have noticed an increase, of which 46% (so 30.4% of the total), with 66% of *those* (so 20% of the total) reporting a negative impact? Sounds like a relatively small percentage of the population. pic.twitter.com/JbPMMks9O0

— ElIa Wind (@ellulie_) April 20, 2023

Several people refuted the group's claims, including one note that suggests EMS vehicle response times are being made worse by congestion. 

New name, same falsehoods. Fact: EMS & Fire deputed 2x that bike lanes do not slow their response times. Fact: bike lanes improve safety for all modes, including pedestrians & drivers. Fact: Bloor/Annex BIA supports bike lanes. Fact: City data are collected year-round.

— Robin Richardson she/her 🚲 (@CanadaRobin) April 20, 2023

Others didn't agree with the group's overall objective and suggested that dedicated bike lanes work to keep both cyclists and motorists safe. 

If the bike lanes are removed then those of us who are experienced cyclists will just need to take up a car lane - for our own safety.

— Paul (@ekkridon) April 20, 2023

"When done wrong, bike lanes increase traffic congestion while bringing new stresses to road users, residents and neighbourhoods," the group writes. 

"Ill-conceived bike lanes endanger cyclists and pedestrians. They hurt retailers and restaurants. They transform once-quiet residential streets into congested feeder routes between major thoroughfares, which themselves become gridlocked no-go zones."