Legislation that authorizes the Ontario government to ban municipalities from installing new bike lanes — and to potentially order existing bike lanes be removed — could pass by the end of the month.
On Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford’s government tabled a time allocation motion that would limit debate and public hearings on Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act.
The motion dictates Bill 212 could be called for a final vote as soon as Monday, Nov. 25.
Both the motion and the bill are expected to pass because Ford’s Progressive Conservative caucus holds the majority of seats at Queen’s Park.
Bill 212 would require towns and cities to seek approval from the Ministry of Transportation before installing new bike lanes “in certain circumstances,” such as when a car lane would need to be removed to make space for cycling infrastructure.
A regulatory posting last week confirmed the bill could also be used to remove existing bike lanes. It specifically highlights Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue as roads where they could be kiboshed.
The Ford government’s motion would see Bill 212 pass second reading by the end of this week, before Queen’s Park breaks for a Remembrance Day constituency week.
It would then proceed through a truncated committee process that sets up the legislation for a final vote during the last week of November.
Ford’s government house leader Steve Clark told reporters at Queen’s Park on Tuesday that it was important to get the government's "priority bills" moving ahead of the legislature's winter holiday recess.
The prospect of Toronto bike lanes being removed has spurred advocacy and protests from the cycling community.
Ford blames bike lanes for Toronto’s traffic congestion and contends the lanes on University Avenue are limiting first responders’ access to facilities on Hospital Row. The city denies this is an issue.
Newer bike lanes on Bloor Street West that run through Ford’s home turf of Etobicoke have caused some local backlash. The Bloor Annex BIA has insisted the lanes on the more central portions of Bloor West have been good for business.
