Ford government rams bike lane-killing bill through Legislature

November 26, 2024

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the passage of the Ford government’s bill that would remove bike lanes from Toronto roads and remove environmental assessment requirements for Highway 413.

“The fact that the Ford government included regulations in this bill to protect themselves from lawsuits from injured or killed cyclists tells you everything you need to know about how much they value the lives of people who bike.

This government knows that this bill is going to make commuting more dangerous, and they’re ploughing ahead anyway. And they’re using the tax dollars of people in Kitchener, Sarnia, Huntsville and North Bay to do it.

Slashing environmental laws, ramming through expensive highway projects, ripping out bike lanes – none of these things are going to reduce gridlock. They’re actually going to make it worse, because more highways and more cars on the road means more time spent sitting in traffic.

Our communities need two-way, all-day GO train and intercity bus service. They need more bike-share programs and e-bike infrastructure, and dedicated bike and transit lanes that help them get where they need to go safely. They need homes they can afford close to family and work. They need more safe and affordable options for getting around – but instead this government is taking them away.”

-30-