In February 2023, after months of research and consultation with the public, our democratically-elected City Council voted overwhelmingly – 22 to 4 – to make the Midtown Yonge Complete Street a permanent feature of our city.

Soon all that could be lost with Bill 212 – the Ford government’s Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act. The original act as proposed required that the province approve any municipal bike lane that would remove a car lane, and review the data for any municipal bike lane that removed a car lane. It gets worse! The act was quickly amended – on a Friday afternoon – to specifically require the removal of sections of bike lanes on Bloor West, University and Yonge – no consultation or questions asked.

Midtown Yonge’s Complete Street has always been about more than just bike lanes. It is about calmer traffic, better parking and loading, and streetside cafes and parkettes. It is about a more comfortable environment for walking, cycling, taking transit and driving. It is about a roadway that is safer for everyone. And it is about supporting our local businesses with increased foot traffic and a more vibrant streetscape. But now all of that could be gone if the Premier and his government get their way.

We know that focusing on a few kilometers of bike lanes will not do anything to reduce the gridlock on the GTA’s clogged highways in and around Toronto. Bike lanes are an easy target to pick on and they help distract from so many of this government’s failings, such as delays in housing and transit and chronic underfunding of health care and education. We also know that with a majority government, it will be hard to change the Premier’s mind. But if you value local democracy and want the Midtown Yonge Complete Street to remain, we need you to speak up.