Ontario has ‘clear mandate’ to remove bike lanes: ‘These bike lanes are coming out’

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When it comes to the removal of bike lanes on Bloor St. West, one battle was won on Tuesday night. But the conflict is far from over.

At a news conference on Wednesday morning, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw warned that those who interfere with the planned removal of the bike lanes around the Bloor St. W., and Islington area could face charges, including obstructing police or mischief. 

“That is lawful work that is going to continue,” Demkiw told reporters. 

Mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford was at the Second Harvest in Etobicoke on Wednesday morning. He was asked about the cyclists and their raison d’être for subverting work on Tuesday that was legally authorized to begin. 

“There are rules on the books,” he said. “There are bylaws on the books, and the expectation as Torontonians is that we agree to abide by those rules. But if you don’t, the rules need to be enforced. There are consequences that include charges, arrests and prosecution. That is the deal in a Western democracy, in a Canadian society, in a city like Toronto. We all agreed to follow the rules. We might not like them, but we agree to follow them. There are consequences for breaking the law.” 

The province’s plan on Tuesday was to start removing a 1.2-km section of lanes on Bloor between Royal York and Clissold Rds., but a cyclist demonstration stymied progress enough that work crews went away without accomplishing much, save for removing a few barriers anchored to the road.  

The province vows that won’t happen again.  

“Work to restore vehicle lanes on Bloor Street West was scheduled to begin tonight but was halted by protesters,” Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria wrote on ‘X’ on Tuesday night. “Make no mistake: these bike lanes are coming out. We have a clear mandate and we will deliver.” 

Prior to the encounter with work crews, cyclists gathered in the parking lot of Tom Riley Park late Tuesday afternoon. The park is on the north side of Bloor, a five-minute walk from Islington Station.  

Planned encounter

Led by cycling activist and lawyer David Shellnut, the group cycled along the north side of Bloor and stopped at the Green Lanes intersection. Segments of the group then splintered and crossed the intersection to occupy the bike lanes on both sides of the street. 

From there, several sections of the group held their ground on both sides of Bloor for several hours before construction crews arrived. 

“We’re going to do it every single night that they plan construction here,” Shellnut said. “So let it be known that the people of Toronto, that the people on bikes, will not let the premier bully us and take away safe infrastructure. We are here.”

ganderson@postmedia.com

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