Government oversight on new bike lanes
According to the Ontario government, municipalities must demonstrate that new bike lanes will not negatively impact vehicle traffic. Proposed bike lanes must prove no harm to vehicle flow. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the government would also request data on bike lanes installed in the past five years. Sarkaria emphasized that many bike lanes were introduced during the pandemic, when traffic levels were low, making their long-term impact uncertain.
- Municipalities need provincial approval for bike lanes reducing vehicle lanes.
- Data from the last five years on bike lane projects is required.
- Decision-making will now involve provincial oversight rather than local authorities.
Etobicoke bike lane controversy
The bike lanes on Bloor Street W. in Etobicoke, installed in 2023, have sparked division among residents and business owners. Premier Doug Ford, who lives in Etobicoke, raised concerns about these bike lanes, saying that they have caused traffic congestion and delayed emergency response times. However, the City of Toronto has denied these claims, stating that emergency services have not reported any official issues related to the bike lanes.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow asked the provincial government to delay the legislation. Chow argued that the city and province should work together to resolve any concerns regarding bike lanes. She also suggested that the province focus on major transit projects like the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch LRT, which she believes would have a greater impact on reducing congestion.
Ongoing debate and future of bike lanes
The upcoming legislation will shift the authority over bike lane decisions to the transportation minister. Sarkaria confirmed that bike lanes on Yonge Street, Avenue Road, and other streets will be reviewed to determine their impact on traffic. Though the bike lanes will remain for now, the province may require their removal after analyzing the traffic data.
The Ontario government also announced plans to increase speed limits on 400-series highways to 110 km/h where safe. Additionally, design standards are being developed to allow vehicles to travel at speeds of over 120 km/h on new highways. These measures, along with the oversight of bike lanes, are intended to reduce traffic congestion across the province.
With the release of new data on Bloor Street bike lanes expected this fall, the long-term impacts on traffic and safety will be better understood. Earlier findings showed that the number of cyclists increased by 56%, while vehicle travel times increased by up to 8.5 minutes in certain sections of the street. However, after adjustments to traffic signals, delays decreased to about four minutes during rush hour.
source: CBC
