Doug Ford is trying to make it impossible to build new bike lanes in Ontario

Good public transit and bike infrastructure is a hallmark of a modern, progressive city, but Toronto has had a few hiccups — and faced quite a lot of blowback — in its efforts to improve the experience for those who travel on two wheels.

Some residents argue that new bike lanes are negatively impacting local businesses, are contributing to congestion and are severely underutilized (especially during the colder months), while others contend that we have far too meagre a bike network that puts cyclists in danger and lags behind other metropolises.

The latest development on the topic, though, isn't grumblings from either the pro-bike or pro-car camps, but a potentially move from the government itself that many would see as positioning of itself in the latter of the two.

Draft legislation sourced by CBC News this week show a nascent proposal to veto any future bike lanes that necessitate the removal of mixed-traffic lanes with easing the notorious gridlock in cities like Toronto serving as a primary motivation.

Horrible idea, leave the bike lanes up to the municipality and focus on what Ontario’s residents actually need- HEALTHCARE!

— Leah (@Leah_9147) September 20, 2024

When questioned about the documents today, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria only said that the Province "examines a multitude of proposals when it comes to congestion management" and that there is "a record amount of gridlock, we have seen explosive population growth in our cities and it is getting harder and harder for people to commute."

And while those on the extreme ends of both sides of the car-bike tension may never see eye to eye, it seems many can agree that Ford stepping in to make such sweeping decisions over the heads of municipalities is not okay, and that he should be focusing his efforts elsewhere.

Just take your OPP plane or new helicopter and get your nose out of #TOpoli. There is so much wrong in Ontario (Lack of family docs, closed ERs, underfunded education...) The list goes on, yet you are frittering around with beer and bike lanes. #DOYOURJOBFORD

— Drawing a Blank - Conservatives are ruining Canada (@drawingablank10) September 20, 2024

According to the CBC, it is unclear how far along the bill is, and whether it has been formally presented to cabinet. But, Ford has identified remedying urban traffic woes as one of his current priorities.

The premier has since clarified that he doesn't want bike lanes nixed completely, but moved to side streets rather than main roads that are "the busiest in the country" — a solution that does seem pretty common-sense.