The battle over bike lanes on Bloor Street West in Toronto has reached a critical juncture as local business owners and cyclists clash over the future of the city's cycling infrastructure. On February 21, a group of 40 business owners, spearheaded by Sam Pappas, the proprietor of the Crooked Cue, filed a $10 million lawsuit against the City of Toronto. The lawsuit, submitted to the Ontario Superior Court, alleges "negligence and nuisance" due to the bike lanes and seeks an injunction to remove them and restore the streets to their original condition.
Sam Pappas has been a vocal opponent of the bike lanes, claiming that they have negatively impacted local businesses and traffic.
“From day one, the bike lanes on Bloor West have been poorly planned, sitting empty for half the year, hurting local businesses and making life harder for drivers and pedestrians.” – Sam Pappas
The Crooked Cue has become a hub for those who oppose the bike lanes, with many arguing that the lanes exacerbate congestion and deter customers.
The controversy is further fueled by the provincial government's recent actions. On October 15, Ontario's Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced restrictions on new bike lane installations. The Ford government has also contracted an engineering firm to design plans for removing bike lanes from specific Toronto streets. This measure aligns with the proposed "Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024," which mandates that municipalities seek provincial approval before installing bike lanes that remove vehicle lanes. The bill could also facilitate the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue.
Despite these challenges, Toronto's City Council has remained steadfast in its support for bike lanes. The council has voted in favor of installing bike lanes at least four times, most recently approving several kilometers of new lanes in June.
“The City of Toronto has voted on these bike lanes now at least four times. And each time it passes City Council. I understand folks may not be content with that decision, but there is actually a transparent and democratic process for how these projects happen.” – Michael Longfield
This ongoing dispute highlights a deep divide between business owners and cycling advocates. Cycle Toronto has launched its own legal challenge against Bill 212, arguing that revoking bike lanes compromises public safety.
“The crux of our legal challenge is that removing these bikeways will put lives at risk.” – Michael Longfield
The debate over bike lanes is not new to Toronto. Cyclists and advocates have long called for improved safety measures on the city's roads, citing numerous fatalities and collisions involving bicycles. Proponents like Olivia Chow emphasize the importance of maintaining cycling infrastructure to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility options.
“Cyclists have cars. They use Bike Share, any number of different bikes, like e-bikes, to get around,” – Olivia Chow
“I can’t imagine what would happen if we yanked out some bike lanes. It would just make the [traffic] congestion worse.” – Olivia Chow
However, business owners like Claudio DeMelo express frustration over the current setup of bike lanes on Bloor Street.
“Last year alone was our worst year ever … We do support cycling infrastructure when it’s done properly, this has just been an unmitigated disaster.” – Claudio DeMelo
The City of Toronto has opted to remain silent on the lawsuit while it is before the court.
“The City has no further comment as the matter is before the court.” – City of Toronto
