Hundreds of people took over Toronto bike lanes to stop overnight demolition
Doug Ford's plan to tear up a key Toronto bike lane hit a bit of a snag on Tuesday evening, when hundreds of people gathered in the Bloor Street West cycling path to physically block their removal.
Mobs of demonstrators on bikes took over the Etobicoke stretch of bike lane next to Tom Riley Park at Bloor and Islington, blocking construction vehicles contracted by the province to tear up the corridor and allow more space for vehicle traffic.
Tuesday evening's demonstration came amid Cycle Toronto's legal challenge against the bike lane removal, with the cycling advocacy group stating that it is "asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear our case and defend our Charter right to life and security of the person" after Ontario's Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the province.
It's the latest salvo in a two-year saga pitting Toronto's urban and suburban values against one another. The Ford government introduced Bill 212 (Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act), restricting municipal bike lanes on Toronto arterials, on Oct. 21, 2024.
After a protracted legal challenge, the province finally attempted to put its plan in motion on Tuesday, though this initial bike lane removal was ultimately thwarted by protesters.
Going to be very tough to pylon off Bloor St to remove the bike lanes, what with hundreds of people who bike in the way! https://t.co/Kp4Zmtx2Z6
— Norm Di Pasquale 🇨🇦 (@normsworld) October 13, 2026
In response to the protest, Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, took to X and wrote that "Work to restore vehicle lanes on Bloor Street West was scheduled to begin tonight but was halted by protesters. Make no mistake: these bike lanes are coming out. We have a clear mandate and we will deliver."
