It’s hard to believe, but another year is almost over, and it’s been quite the rollercoaster with the Bill 212 fiasco and all. With two more weeks to go, a lot has popped up which warrants a roundup post of its own. This includes a couple of updates regarding Bill 212, the East Don Trail, the Ellesmere Complete Street project, and some upcoming group rides. Let’s dive in to see what December 2024 has to offer!
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| A banner ridiculing Doug Ford's war on bike lanes found over the Gardiner (via Martin Reis) |
Bill 212 Court Challenge
Last week, Cycle Toronto, Eva Stanger-Ross of Fight For Bikes, and bike courier Narada Kiondo launched a court challenge against the Ford government in response to the cycling aspects of Bill 212; specifically the proposed bike lane removals on Bloor, University, and Yonge. The initial aim of the court challenge is to secure an injunction to stop the bike lane removals, while a Charter challenge is under way claiming the bike lane removals violate Section 7 regarding the life, liberty, and security of the person. In an added sense of cruelty, Cycle Toronto’s Michael Longfield couldn’t attend the court challenge launch because he was doored and hospitalized; something which we hope he recovers from soon. Those wishing to donate to the court challenge can do so on Cycle Toronto’s website.
Bike Lane Removals Delayed
Earlier this month, MPP Joel Harden noted in his e-newsletter that the Province could remove 500 metres of the Bloor bike lanes – likely in The Kingsway – and another 400 metres along Yonge Street by the end of this year. Yesterday, Toronto Today broke the news any bike lane removals will not happen before March 20, 2025. Given the possibility of an early provincial election, this makes organizing to vote Ford out of office that much more urgent. I previously wrote about which ridings should be targeted to accomplish this or at least deny Doug Ford a third majority.
For those looking to get up to speed on Bill 212, Jason Slaughter of Not Just Bikes put up the below video recently on his YouTube channel calling it “the world’s dumbest bike lane law”! The Ontario government released public feedback about the bill which saw over 19,000 responses with almost all of them being opposed.
Ellesmere Complete Street Project
While Bill 212 aims to restrict bike lane installations which remove traffic lanes, it shouldn’t apply to the Ellesmere Complete Street project. A Phase 2 public drop-in was held on Wednesday, December 11 while you can submit your feedback by Monday, January 6. The project calls for a multi-use trail on the south side from Orton Park Road to Military Trail, raised cycle tracks from Military Trail to Meadowvale Road, and on-road cycle tracks from Meadowvale to Kingston Roads. While Phase 1 offered a choice between (the existing) four traffic lanes and two lanes plus a centre turning lane from Military Trail to Meadowvale, Phase 2 recommended the former based on public feedback from Phase 1 even before accounting for Bill 212. The project will then go to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in early 2025 followed by installation in 2026.
East Don Trail Delayed (Again)
The Toronto & Region Conservation Authority issued an update on the East Don Trail (Phase 1) on Thursday, November 28. The good news is the trail from Bermondsey Road to the bridge eastern approach is now paved, while the bad news is the Metrolinx track closure required to install the tunnel has been postponed (again) from Fall 2024 to Spring 2025! Per the below timeline from the June 2014 public consultation, the initial construction timeframe for this project was 2015 to 2016; making this project ALMOST A DECADE BEHIND SCHEDULE! All because of that one tunnel needed to make the trail continuous without (illegally) crossing the railway tracks! Given how long it has taken for Phase 1 to be completed, who knows how long it will take to build Phase 3 which would connect Phase 1 with the already completed Phase 2?
TTC E-Bike and E-Scooter Bans
On Tuesday, December 3, the TTC banned e-bikes and e-scooters on their vehicles from November 15 to April 15. While the TTC’s motivation to respond to an earlier e-bike fire can be understandable, there were better ways to deal with this problem including only banning such devices that don’t use certified batteries as GO Transit has done. This move will have adverse consequences for food couriers who depend on such devices to earn income.
A Couple of Group Rides
Last, but not least, there are a couple of group rides to mark the end of 2024 and the start of 2025. Following last month’s well attended ride which went along Bloor into Etobicoke, Critical Mass will return on Friday, December 27. Meet 6 PM at Bloor & Spadina for 6:30 PM departure.
For those looking to start the New Year with a ride, Alex will be hosting the 13th Annual New Year’s Day Ride! While the 2024 ride went to the Leslie Spit, the 2025 one will meet 11 AM at the Yonge & Queen’s Quay sculpture for 11:30 AM departure. A coin toss will determine whether the ride goes east to the Leslie Spit or west to Humber River Park. Please note that ride is not a protest. 😉
While I aim to write a year in review before the year’s out, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025!
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