Changes Coming to Toronto’s Busy Streets

Ontario is set to restore motor vehicle lanes on some of Toronto’s most traveled roads – including Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Crescent, and Avenue Road – following a new request for proposals (RFP) and immediate work starting on Bloor Street West.

This decision comes after a recent ruling from the Ontario Court of Appeal that confirmed the province’s right to redesign public roadways, allowing the Ford government to move forward with plans to remove bike lanes from major routes.

A lower court had previously blocked the province from converting protected bike lanes into car lanes along 19 kilometers of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, claiming it would create an unconstitutional risk for cyclists’ safety.

The debate revolves around a law passed in 2024 by the Ford administration that mandated municipalities obtain approval before adding new bike lanes that interfere with traffic. This expedited legislation also granted the province power to eliminate bike lane sections on Yonge, University, and Bloor streets.

Cyclists ride on the designated Bloor Street bike lanes in Toronto on Oct. 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette.

Work Commences on Bloor Street West

The Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that lane restoration is already taking place on Bloor Street West, starting east of the 600-meter segment at Clissold Road and west of Islington Avenue where a vehicle lane was reinstated back in December 2025. That earlier effort kept one bike lane while restoring one lane for drivers.

In a press release, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the government is responding to what he calls a “clear and direct mandate” from Ontarians.

“We’re keeping our promise. Under Premier [Doug] Ford’s leadership, we’re getting people and goods moving again and giving commuters back more of their time,” he said.

The newly issued RFP will explore design options for restoring vehicle lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, University Avenue, Queen’s Park, Queen’s Park Crescent, and Avenue Road.

The RFP will also look into ways to keep or modify bike lanes “where they make sense and do not exacerbate gridlock,” according to the province.

Ford has frequently criticized how bike lanes contribute to congestion-especially along a section of Bloor Street near his home in the west end. On Tuesday, officials referenced a report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis which revealed that gridlock costs Ontario $56 billion each year.

Two provincial laws-the Reducing Gridlock Saving You Time Act 2024 and the Plan to Protect Ontario Act 2025-mandate restoring motor vehicle lanes along designated Toronto roadways.

Court Decision Paves Way for Changes

The RFP follows a successful appeal by the Ford government against legal challenges regarding its bike-lane policies amid rising tensions between cycling advocates and provincial officials. Last week saw hundreds of cyclists gather downtown to protest against removing bike lanes; they argue these changes will increase dangers on city streets and reverse years of progress toward safer cycling infrastructure.

“We got a pretty scathing decision from the Court of Appeal of Ontario that said Doug Ford can rip out existing bike lanes; that our safety doesn’t matter; people take that really personally,” David Shellnut-the founding partner of The Biking Lawyer LLC-said during an Aug. 28 rally. “They’re just trying to get home safe or take their kids to school; so I expect many people will be quite upset about this.”

Conversely, Tuesday’s announcement received backing from groups like the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) as well as Etobicoke business owner Sam Pappas who runs The Crooked Cue on Bloor Street.

“The removal of the bike lanes on Bloor Street will restore access and beauty that was lost,” Pappas noted. “As a business owner and long-time resident I’m grateful we’ll return to a system that works for most people.”

The RFP process will help determine how lane restoration happens across these six corridors while immediate efforts continue on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke.

With files from The Canadian Press

A cyclist rides in a bike lane on University Avenue in Toronto on Dec. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor Keep it Factual

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