Toronto's newest bike lanes have stirred up anger among the car-dependent residents of Etobicoke, claiming that these pedal-powered routes are impeding their ability to hurtle around the city in their vehicles.

Newly installed bike lanes on Bloor Street between Jane Street and Aberfoyle Crescent have angered local drivers, who have created a petition to the City's Transportation Services department, trying to undo the infrastructure upgrade.

The paint is barely dry on the new bike lanes, but they've already been able to measure a decrease in business? And maybe cyclists aren't using them much since, with no physical separation, drivers are still using them for parking? pic.twitter.com/AZKFWbsa93

— Alex Colangelo (@AlexColangelo) October 25, 2023

The change.org petition titled "Re-Evaluation and Balanced Integration of Bike Lanes on Bloor St. in Etobicoke" claims that the new cycling infrastructure has already exacerbated traffic in the area.

"We, the residents of Etobicoke, express our reservations about the newly introduced bike lanes on Bloor St. Concerns arise from potentially inaccurate bike usage data from the High Park counter, noticeable congestion due to lane reductions, decreased business footfall, potential delays for emergency vehicles, and the observed scarcity of cyclists," the petition argues.

"We advocate for a re-evaluation to ensure a harmonious and safe balance between bike lanes and vehicular traffic, emphasizing the need for Bloor Street to retain two lanes of traffic in each direction."

Organizers of the petition cite eight concerns about the new bike lanes, at least six of which reference its impact on the flow of vehicle traffic. Among the concerns listed, the petition states — without providing any supporting evidence — that the newly installed bike counter at High Park is inaccurate, suggesting it is inflating ridership figures.

The very next concern listed is "scarce cyclist usage," citing anecdotal evidence claiming that "Many residents and businesses along Bloor St. have observed a limited number of cyclists using the designated lanes."

Most of the community's concerns centre entirely around the needs of drivers, like the claim that "It's crucial for Bloor Street to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction to accommodate the heavy vehicular flow."

Area residents have also campaigned against the bike lanes with lawn signs fighting "lane reductions."

I say YES to bike lanes. We are in a climate crisis, efforts to reduce emissions by giving people separated bike lanes, encourages people to drive less. That has my support. @MissCyclingNow Saw this sign today. pic.twitter.com/ap0cA5CnEq

— katrina mcguire (@kokocat) October 22, 2023

Meanwhile, cyclists are reacting to documented evidence that shows motorists completely disregarding the new bike lanes and illegally treating them like parking lots.

We hear there's a petition going around to remove the newly installed Bloor W #bikelanes #bikeTO because no one is using them. That's funny, these painted lanes seem to getting tons of use! pic.twitter.com/BkllBTUmqN

— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) October 26, 2023

Personal injury lawyer and cycling advocate David Shellnutt, who captured the video of drivers using the new bike lanes as their own personal parking lot, tells blogTO that "Each of the concerns raised in the first paragraph, from emergency vehicles to foot traffic, are consistently raised, then debunked criticisms of bike lanes."

Shellnutt says that pro-car groups have used similar disproved rhetoric when new lanes were added "on Harbord, Yonge, and more," stating that "time and time again, the data proves these claims unfounded."

As for the petition organizers' claim that the bike lanes were not supported by data, Shellnutt says he "finds it hard to believe that an entire infrastructure project was designed without actual usage considered."

He notes that dissent has emerged "while the paint isn't even dry on these bike lanes. To make determinations at this juncture is premature, revisionist, and flawed."

"Perhaps once the concrete is set, bollards are up, and TPS enforces no parking in bike lanes along here, we will be able to better determine the impact and amount of cyclists using the lanes. I expect by next summer, as we've seen elsewhere in Toronto, the change will be markedly positive."

Shellnutt characterizes the petition as the latest move "from pro car lobbyists to stamp out progress aimed at reducing congestion, fighting climate change, and affording people many options for traversing this beautiful city are backward-looking."

Over 5,000 have signed the petition in just three days, and organizers have since upped their target to 7,500 signatures.