The War on Cars

TEASER: Doug Ford and Ontario's War on Bikes

Nov 19, 2024

In this engaging discussion, journalist Sabrina Nanji, founder of the Queens Park Observer, sheds light on Doug Ford's contentious Bill 212, which threatens the future of bike lanes in Ontario. She explores the political fallout surrounding bike lane opposition, touching on local business reactions and community sentiments. The urban-suburban divide in voter support highlights pivotal tensions, suggesting that cycling infrastructure could become a key issue in upcoming elections.

08:38

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Episode guests

Sabrina Nanji

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Quick takeaways

Doug Ford's proposed Bill 212 mandates provincial approval for bike lanes, which may significantly hinder urban cycling infrastructure development.

The political debate over bike lanes exposes a divide between urban supporters and suburban opponents, highlighting differing priorities and regional concerns.

Deep dives

Impact of Bill 212 on Bike Lane Development

Bill 212, known as the Reducing Gridlock Saving You Time Act, poses significant challenges for the installation of new bike lanes in Ontario. The legislation mandates that municipalities must seek provincial approval to establish bike lanes, particularly in situations where a traffic lane must be removed. This requirement could lead to a substantial reduction in bike lane projects, adversely affecting cycling advocates' efforts to enhance urban cycling infrastructure. Moreover, the bill is part of a broader narrative pushed by the Ford government, which claims that limiting bike lanes will alleviate traffic congestion, despite contradicting data suggesting that bike lanes can benefit local businesses and reduce overall traffic issues.

Intro

3min

The Controversy of Toronto's Bike Lanes

2min

Political Tensions Over Bike Lanes in Ontario

3min

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Back in 2010, the notoriously pugnacious Toronto mayor Rob Ford declared that “the war on the car is over,” and vowed to halt the city’s expansion of bike lanes, transit, and anything that inconvenienced motorists even slightly. Fourteen years later, his brother — Ontario Premier Doug Ford — has continued the family crusade against bike lanes. The Ford government is pushing a bill that would require provincial approval of all bike lanes that repurpose car lanes. If it succeeds, it will have a chilling effect on the ability of cities and towns of all sizes to manage their streets and keep people safe. Plus, a handful of existing bike lanes could be ripped out.

Journalist Sabrina Nanji, a veteran of the Queen’s Park Press Gallery and the founder of the Queens Park Observer joins us to talk about the politics behind Doug Ford’s war on bikes.

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